Conner-Townsend Endowed Scholarship established at Walters State Community College
The scholarship was established by Amy W. Conner and Lawrence Dale Townsend to support students as they pursue their college education.
Walters State Community College has a new student scholarship thanks to Amy W. Conner and Lawrence Dale Townsend. The Conner-Townsend Endowed Scholarship was established to support students in certain academic programs who live in Cocke County as a way for the couple to help provide for the residents of their home for the past nine years after moving from Maryland.
According to an article on Walters State Community College’s website, Townsend explained why he and Conner chose to establish the scholarship even though there are tuition assistance programs available. He is quoted as saying, “While Tennessee has created opportunities through Tennessee Promise, we know many expenses related to college are not covered. This scholarship may be used for tuition, textbooks, commuting expenses, meals and any other school-related expenses.”
The Conner-Townsend Endowed Scholarship has been established for students from Cocke County who have a demonstrated financial need and are studying within the college’s health, education, mathematics, business, technical education, or political science associate degree programs. Preference will be given to students who live in Del Rio, and second preference will go to any student in Cocke County who are the first in their family to attend college.
Any person who receives the Conner-Townsend Endowed Scholarship will be encouraged to contribute to the endowed fund once their own financial situation is stable and they are established in their careers. Additionally, the endowment is open for donations from other parties, and will also be funded through gained interest, allowing the scholarships to be awarded in perpetuity.
Nine years ago, Conner and Townsend moved to Cocke County, Tennessee from Maryland. Through their own experiences and through watching the experiences of their family members and friends, the couple has witnessed the power of education. Conner graduated from the University of Maryland and became a medical laboratory administrator until she earned her master’s degree from George Washington University. Then, she became a teacher in Washington, DC and worked with International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs. Townsend was born in California and attended El Camino College. He worked in industrial maintenance.
For more information about Walters State Community College, visit the school’s website.