Laurie Marie Foundation awards five Butler Community College students

Five Butler Community College students were among those nationwide selected to receive scholarships from the Laurie Marie Foundation. 

Founded by Butler graduate David W. Carter, a California resident, the scholarships provide extra financial assistance for students to focus on their studies and not worry about debt. To qualify, students needed a GPA of 3.0 or higher and to write an essay about how the scholarship would benefit them. 

Carter studied secondary education at Butler, completing his degree in 2009. He went on to earn a doctorate from Benedictine University, is an organizational development specialist and a motivational speaker. The Kentucky native funds the scholarships by contributing half of his speaking fees. 

The foundation is named for his mother-in-law. The following Butler students received $500 scholarships; Reyna Campos, an accounting student from Wichita; Logan Grisham, a welding student from El Dorado; Issac Pineda, a criminal justice student from Wichita; Ryan Sigg, a pre-engineering student from Colwich; and Karen Wedd, a business technology student from Peabody. 

“Our mission at the Butler Foundation is to foster relationships that create opportunities for students,” Tom Borrego, executive director, said. “Dr. Carter’s foundation helps us fulfill that mission in a wonderfully impactful way. We are so grateful for alumni who give back to Butler.”  

Read more about David Carter’s personal story.