SIKESTON -- It's no secret the Sikeston Area Higher Education Center offers scholarships to local students attending the institution, but what others may not realize is a majority of these scholarships are funded by local individuals and businesses.
Alan Wire Co. is one of the businesses providing financial aid for some of SAHEC's students.
Over the last several years, the Sikeston company has paid the tuition of a few employees who met and maintained criteria for the scholarships. Two of their employee-students have completed a degree and will be honored Friday at the annual SAHEC dinner-auction.
"We're very proud of them (employees)," noted Tom Austin, Alan Wire plant manager. "Not only did they complete their degrees, but they completed them with outstanding grades -- and they did it with determination and commitment."
Originally Alan Wire owners Alan Keenan and Dave Keenan made the decision to start scholarships within their company because they wanted to give assistance to their employees who wanted to expand their education, Austin explained. And they were also in hopes that the added education would create more productive employees, he noted.
In addition to Alan Wire, other area sources of SAHEC scholarships include the Lions Club, Sikeston Jaycees, Sikeston Rotary Club, Noranda Aluminum, Fred and Nancy Yeo, C.P. Black Jr. family, Webb family, Jerry and Loretta Pullen and several others.
SAHEC's dinner-auction is designed to raise need-based and merit scholarship funds like those received from the community for the Center, which, this spring, has 1,578 enrollments up from 305 at its opening in 1998.
"The word is getting out, and SAHEC is a very good opportunity for kids who live here in the immediate area to get the first two years of college accomplished without having the expense of driving to Three Rivers (Community College) or Semo," Austin said. "It's a heck of an opportunity."
Judy Buck, executive director of SAHEC, said there are several ways for area residents to donate scholarships to the Center.
"We usually look for individuals or businesses who might be interested in setting up an endowment of $10,000," Buck explained. "Whoever's chosen for that particular scholarship will earn 5 percent of that endowment. So a student would receive around $500 of a $10,000 endowment."
Those setting up a scholarship can specify the criteria they want, Buck said.
"They can say it has to be a Sikeston Senior High graduate, or this scholarship has to be for Charleston High School graduate enrolling at SAHEC in Sikeston," Buck explained. "They can emphasize only Southeast Missouri State University classes or only Three Rivers Community College classes or maintain a certain GPA. It's up to them."
But others may choose to make a donation into SAHEC's general scholarship fund, Buck pointed out. People can donate $50 or $5 or whatever into the general scholarship fund.
"These types of scholarships help students who are striving to complete their education," Buck said. "Many are nontraditional students with full-time jobs and it helps them pay for their education."
Chris Foster of Dexter is finishing up his registered nurse degree at SAHEC and is the recipient of SAHEC scholarships. He said the scholarships have helped not only for his schooling but for books, too.
"It's been excellent," Foster said about SAHEC. "It's great having the building there because it saves me from having to drive to Cape or Poplar Bluff (for school) and allows me to work and get an education."
Individuals and corporations may also make contributions for needed tangible items. For example, recently a $2,500 studio piano was donated for classes.
SAHEC officials are working to get more scholarships, which is why they're having the banquet and the auction, Buck noted. Extra proceeds from the auction-banquet are put into the SAHEC general scholarship fund, she said.
"There's an opportunity and someone needs to take advantage of that opportunity," Austin noted. "SAHEC is not just a legitimate resource of a higher education, but the quality of education coming from this facility is outstanding."
For more information about setting up scholarships, contact Buck at (573) 472-3210.