Austin's Beta Sigma Phi and a local donor have raised $10,000 to start an endowment for non-traditional female students attending Riverland Community College.
The Beta Sigma Phi, Xi Kappa chapter has sponsored the annual $500 scholarship since 2011, with the goal of eventually raising $10,000 to permanently endow the scholarship and just use the interest accumulated off of the scholarship.
Beta Sigma Phi raised $8,500 toward its goal, about $1,500 shy of the goal, so Dr. C. Jerry Nelson, an alum of Riverland, donated $2,000 so that the $500 scholarship could still be given the first year.
"It is with great pleasure that we make this donation," said Janice Mino, president of the local chapter. "It has been our desire for a number of years to set up a permanent and self-sustaining source of funding for scholarships to support deserving students attending Riverland. We feel it is important to give back to people within the community who are trying to move ahead in their chosen careers."
The Riverland Community College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that "raises, manages and distributes resources to support, enhance and promote the educational opportunities Riverland Community College offers the people of the region."
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Riverland services about 4,900 credit-based students and an additional 5,400 students through non-credit courses. Campuses are located in Albert Lea, Austin and Owatonna.
