Courtesy photo From left, Faculty Association Scholarship Committee Chair Molly Campbell, presents certificates to Bay College students Kaitlyn Hardwick and Brooke LaBumbard. These two students are the first recipients of the newly established Bay College Faculty Association Scholarship.

ESCANABA — Full-time faculty members of the Michigan Education Association (MEA) at Bay College announce the first-ever recipients of the newly established Faculty Association Scholarship. The scholarship was established to recognize both the academic achievement and the often unmet financial need of current Bay College students. In doing so, it also serves to increase student retention at Bay College. The fund provides two student scholarships of $500 each per year that will be awarded to current students who return to Bay College in the fall semester.

Kaitlyn Hardwick and Brooke LaBumbard were selected by the faculty association as the first recipients of the award. Hardwick is a returning player for both the Norse women’s basketball team and the Norse softball team. Majoring in elementary education, she is a member of the MEA-affiliated Aspiring Educators Club, and currently holds a 3.6 GPA at Bay College.

Brooke LaBumbard is currently working toward completion of the associate degree in nursing (ADN) program in order to become a registered nurse (RN). She has experience working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) In addition to maintaining a 3.2 GPA at Bay College, She has been actively involved with helping local 4-H clubs.

To be eligible for the award, students must have completed 24 or more Bay College credits with a 3.0 G.P.A. or higher, and have applied for Bay College Scholarships. The faculty scholarship is unique in that the selection occurs after the regular scholarship award process has been completed. Faculty select their recipients from a pool of students who still have some unmet financial need not yet covered by other scholarships or financial aid.

Faculty Association Scholarship Committee Chair, Molly Campbell, explained the purpose of this process. “The Faculty Association wanted to design a distinctive scholarship that would reward our wonderful current students who are still working hard to complete their degrees at Bay College. We are so proud of these students and all they have accomplished while at Bay, and we really want to ensure that they have the opportunity to stay and finish their Bay College degrees.”

Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships online at www.baycollege.edu/scholarships. For more information about Bay College scholarships, please contact the Bay College Foundation at 906-217-1700 or email foundation@baycollege.edu.