Union College Offers Four-Year Scholarships to Rogers Scholars Graduates - Con. Rogers On Campus Monday to Make Announcement

Congressman Hal Rogers will join Union College President Edward D. de Rosset on campus at a press conference this Monday, April 24, 2006 to announce that Union intends to award full tuition scholarships to graduates of the Rogers Scholars program.

The conference will be held at 1:00 p.m. in the Sharp Academic Center on campus in Barbourville, Kentucky.

"I am pleased to join President de Rosset in announcing these scholarships, which represent a significant investment in the future leaders of our region,” Congressman Rogers said. “The goal of the Rogers Scholars program is to challenge our students to use their skills and talents to make their communities and our region a better place. I could not be more pleased to see Union College rewarding the hard work of these bright young men and women by providing them with greater access to a quality education here in Kentucky."

Innovative high school juniors graduating from the Rogers Scholars program can apply to receive a full tuition scholarship from Union College. Program graduates earning a score of 24 or better on the American College Test (ACT) and earn a high school grade point average of 3.0 or better are eligible for the scholarship. Those scoring below 24 will receive a half tuition scholarship.

Union College formed a partnership with the The Center for Rural Development, an economic development organization based in Somerset, Kentucky, in an effort to provide this great new financial aid opportunity to around 60 Rogers Scholar graduates from 42 Kentucky Counties.

The Center President and CEO Lonnie Lawson said of the partnership, “I applaud President de Rosset and Union College for taking a leadership role in the future development of our region’s youth and the region itself. The scholarships provided by Union College will provide a great incentive for our youth to continue their education within the 42-county region of Southern and Eastern Kentucky we call home.”

Union College is accustomed to making higher education affordable. Last year the college awarded $2 million to 98% of its students.

“It is an honor for Union College to extend these scholarship opportunities to rising Kentucky leaders,” Union College President de Rosset said. “Our roots are firmly planted in our Barbourville community and our region of the Appalachian Mountains. Still yet, as a faith-based learning community, our mission and commitment to education, service, personal and professional development is global in perspective and application. Union College has proudly served for 126 years as the collegiate home for Kentuckians and students from other regions and nations, who thrive from the personal attention and support provided. Union College enthusiastically endorses the Rogers Scholars program and its mission of connecting able and motivated Kentucky students to strong futures through higher education.”

Lawson added, “As Congressman Rogers has stated many times, a principle goal of the Rogers Scholars program is to create an environment where no young person will need to leave home to find his or her future. The program, now it its ninth year, seeks to educate and motivate the region’s best and brightest minds to return home after they complete their educational training and help create a better and brighter future for all of Southern and Eastern Kentucky.”

Union College is the third private college to offer scholarships to the graduates of the Rogers Scholars program. This 126 year old private institution, located in Barbourville, Kentucky, provides educational opportunities to over 1200 registered undergraduates and graduate students. Currently the college offers undergraduate degrees in 26 majors and graduate studies programs in Education and Psychology. To learn more about the Rogers Scholars program at Union College, you can log on to www.unionky.edu or call 1-800-489-8646.

The Rogers Scholars program was founded in 1998 by U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) with the goal that “no young person will need to leave home to find his or her future.” This intensive one week summer session for rising high school juniors from 42 counties in Southern and Eastern Kentucky emphasizes technological skills development and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, leadership skills and commitment to rural Kentucky. Rogers Scholars interact with state and national leaders and work with quality instructors to focus on leadership, technology, entrepreneurship and community service. For additional information about the program, contact Jessica Melton at The Center for Rural Development at (606) 677-6183 or visit online at www.rogersscholars.com.

The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Kentucky is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide leadership that stimulates innovative and sustainable economic development solutions and a better way of life in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. In its 42-county service region, The Center provides innovative programs in leadership development, advanced telecommunications technology, public safety and a variety of performing arts and cultural events. For more information about The Center, its programs and a calendar of events, visit www.centertech.com.

April 24, 2006

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