Arnel contribution supports Butler Early College Academy Students

The endowed scholarship fund will assist high school students participating in the Early College Academies through Butler Community College.

Scholarship funds at the Butler Foundation must be fully endowed at $10,000 in order to begin disbursing awards to eligible students. The period before a fund can disburse is usually a year. Kevin is a partner at Foulston Siefkin, LLP. The law firm has been a steadfast supporter of Butler since 2008.

The Early College Academy programs help students who are juniors and seniors in high school explore career paths in the health sciences, information technology, engineering technology, and public safety. The model for the academies is unique to Butler with a high success rate of students who complete their associate degree in one of the related fields, some accomplishing that goal even before they graduate from high school. The academies are housed at various Butler learning sites including Rose Hill High School, Butler of Andover, El Dorado High School, and the El Dorado Fire Station No. 2.

High school students are not eligible for federal financial aid such as Pell Grant money and loans. Many of the students who pay for their Early College courses and textbooks do so out of pocket.

“A scholarship like this has the foresight to assist our students in a new and exciting way,” Vice President of Advancement Stacy Cofer said. “It is a privilege to help donors help our students succeed and finish what they start.”

The contribution is an addition to The Forever Butler Campaign, Butler Foundation’s $10 million endowment and deferred giving campaign to double the Foundation’s endowment to $20 million. Currently, the campaign is $9 million to goal.

“These scholarship dollars change lives and when we change lives through education, we change families, communities and the world in which we live,” President Kim Krull said. “I am grateful to these donors who are willing to step forward and see the value in the unique and impactful programs Butler provides to students in high school and beyond.”

Philanthropic contributions to Butler Community College are coordinated by the Butler Community College Foundation. The Foundation manages fundraising efforts with alumni, friends, corporations and foundations to secure private support for the college. For more information about the Butler Community College Foundation visit the website or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/butlerfoundation.

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