Linden was one of the community leaders, who in 1999 brought to the attention of the Charlottesville City Council, the critical need for scholarship assistance for the city’s low- and moderate-income students. At that time, the city was considering the best use of a budget surplus. Through his efforts, 53 students would ultimately realize their dream of a college education.

To recognize his vision and dedication, the Charlottesville Community Scholarship board of directors voted unanimously to name, in perpetuity, the program’s prestigious Promise Award in his honor. The award was created to honor individuals who have demonstrated compassion and commitment to creating opportunities to help build bright futures for Charlottesville’s students. The award is presented during the organization’s annual Charlottesville’s Promise gala that will take place this year on September 22^nd at the Paramount Theater.

“Charlottesville’s Promise 2011″ Gala

A celebration of our community, its scholars and a promise …
Saturday, October 29, 2011, 7:00pm-10:00pm, at the Paramount Theater.

Watch the YouTube Video

It was an amazing night of celebration and inspiration as theCharlottesville Community Scholarship Program celebrated 10 years of providing continuing education scholarship assistance to low- and moderate-income city public school graduates and residents and City of Charlottesville employees as well. We celebrated our scholars’ successes and all the support they and the Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program have received from our very generous Charlottesville community “Promise” keepers. U.Va. baseball head coach Brian O’Connor provided the inspiration in his keynote remarks, assisted in the program by our emcee, the lovely, vivacious Andrea Copeland of Positive Channels. If you had to miss it (there was so much going on in town on the 29th), you’ll be able to see the program broadcast by one of our major sponsors, Charlottesville Public Access Television, Channel 13.

Virginia Daugherty, mayor of Charlottesville when City Council devised our founding funding for scholarships, was the gala’s honorary chair. The Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program created the Promise Award to honor an individual who has demonstrated compassion and commitment by helping to create opportunities and build futures for Charlottesville’s public school graduates. This year’s honoree was Boyd Tinsley, whose support of Charlottesville’s youth demonstrates his faith and commitment to creating opportunities and building bright futures through the arts and sports. John R. Redick, president of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, accepted the award on Mr. Tinsley’s behalf.

Local restaurants and wineries provided the foods and beverages that helped make it a festive evening. Many thanks to Aromas Café and Catering, Bashir’s, Boar’s Head Inn, Cheesecakes by Patricia, Eppie’s, Maya, McGrady’s Irish Pub, Mel’s Café, Siips Wine and Champagne Bar & Bistro. A New Leaf Florist supplied flowers for the stage to add to the air of celebration.

We offer our sincere thanks to the following members of our planning committee for their commitment, ideas, and hard work:

Elizabeth Coughter
Andrea Copeland
Jane DeSimone Dittmar
Patti Egbert
Pryor Hale
K. K. Pearson
Meredith Richards
Elsie Thompson

These creative and energetic folks were joined on the gala planning committee by the following members of the Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program’s board of directors:

Ty Cooper–Board member
Iris Hosey Luck–Gala co-chair
Lainie Rainwater–Gala co-chair and board treasurer
Linda Seaman–Board president
Roxanne White–Board vice president
Gail Hyder Wiley–Board secretary

And we all express our sincere appreciation to our major sponsors:

GOLD:
Dede Smith and Tim Wilson
Woolen Mills Self-Storage LLC

SILVER:
Charlottesville Press
Charlottesville Public Access Television
The Daily Progress
Virginia Daugherty
Jeff Freeman, DJ
Carol Silverman Johnston
Jackie Lichtman and Russ Linden
The Paramount Theater of Charlottesville
Payne, Ross & Associates
Siips Wine and Champagne Bar & Bistro
Anne Stevens and Cameron Waterman III Fund
Elsie and Mac Thompson
Ty Cooper’s United National of Comedy Tour
Union First Market Bank
University of Virginia
WHTJ-PBS

Photos and stories are coming in … stay tuned! There’s a photo album on our “Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program” Facebook page. “Like” our page and see them all as we get them in … and contribute yours.

Asia Crawford, the recipient of a Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program scholarship and a 2010 graduate of Charlottesville High School, has earned a place on Ferrum College’s Dean’s List for the 2011 spring semester. This recognition is bestowed on those with a 3.4 GPA or higher. Ms. Crawford is majoring in accounting.

She is the daughter of Katherine J. Crawford.

When Ms. Crawford was applying for a CCSP scholarship, she noted she hoped to become an accountant for a production company and later own a club for teens. She likes to make people laugh. Her Charlottesville High School teachers praised her as a disciplined student possessing keen insights and the ability to think critically.

CCSP can help with college costs

Want to go back to college but wondering how you’ll afford it? The Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program could help you with your spring semester class costs, but you’ll need to get your scholarship applicationin by Oct. 1.

If you’re a Charlottesville resident and a graduate of Charlottesville City Schools — or a City of Charlottesville employee — and are 25 years old or more, you could have a second chance at earning college credit, part time or full time. The CCSP website has the details and application forms, and you can learn more about the adults who earned scholarships in our last adult enrollment period. Charlottesville High School seniors and adults may apply by March 1 each year for the next fall semester.

Charlottesville City Council created an endowment in 2001 for the Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program to help low- and moderate-income graduates of our city schools and city employees reach their higher-education goals. City Council recognized 10 years ago that a high school diploma might not be enough for many of our citizens to live in economic security. That, sadly, is more true now than ever. CCSP scholarships also can be renewed, continuing to help adults in the workforce return to school.

On Oct. 29, the CCSP will hold its first “Charlottesville’s Promise” gala to celebrate 10 years of fulfilling the city’s college-assistance promise to Charlottesville citizens. This is our major fundraiser, so come out to the Paramount in support and celebration that night for fun, fabulous food, local wines, inspiration from U.Va. baseball head coach Brian O’Connor, and dancing to a DJ.

In addition to the CCSP website, we share lots of helpful college-planning resources on our Facebook and Twitter accounts (CvilleCSP on Twitter). Check us out!
Follow @CvilleCSP

Money for college

The board made this decision in part because of city residents’ need for immediate workforce development and higher education funds due to the recent economic downturn. The CCSP is working hard to ensure a robust fund to meet the needs of adults 25 and over in the next scholarship cycle. Applications for adults are due October 1 for the spring semester. By splitting contributions, the board will continue to honor the intentions of the City Council to build an endowment for the future well-being of city residents, while also addressing pressing needs in our community.

Charlottesville City Council established the Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program 10 years ago with an allocation from a budget surplus. In the ensuing 10 years, the CCSP board has more than doubled the funds put in its care by the city and has awarded scholarships to 53 city residents or employees. On Oct. 29, the CCSP will host the “Charlottesville’s Promise 2011″ Gala at the Paramount Theater to celebrate 10 years of helping our neighbors and to raise more funds to have an even bigger impact in our community. If you’d like to be a part of this celebration of fulfilling “Charlottesville’s Promise,” contact Lainie Rainwater at scholars@cvillescholarship.com.

The program is open to candidates young and old. Scholarships follow students through their undergraduate education, and amounts can be adjusted each year–an important fact given that many colleges front-load first-year financial aid to students.

Background

The Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program was established through a one-time grant from the Charlottesville City Council in 2001. The program’s board of directors raises additional funds to support the program, whose fund has a current value of more than $590,000 as of June 2011.

Today, the program operates as a partnership uniting:

• the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce
• the University of Virginia
• Piedmont Virginia Community College
• the Charlottesville City Schools
• the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation
• the Charlottesville PTO Council

Rev. Ralph Brown

“Thank you and the Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program for your support and encouragement over the past few years. In 2009 I successfully completed required classes with high marks at PVCC, classes that were transferred to Bluefield College, where I received a bachelor of science degree in December 2010.”

That’s the start of a heartwarming note from Ralph Brown Sr. to Mary Jane King, Piedmont Virginia Community College administrator and Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program scholarship committee chair. A recent recipient of CCSP funding to further his education, Rev. Brown is a Pentecostal minister, a chef, and a recently minted Bluefield College graduate, having received his bachelor’s degree in organizational management and development in December 2010. The CEO and president of RBC Institute, a center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Chef Brown has taught many classes on safe food handling. In volunteer roles, he has served this community in many ways over the years, including as a mayoral appointee to the Sister City Commission and as a Toys for Tots sponsor and volunteer.

Getting that bachelor’s degree wasn’t easy, A Vietnam-era veteran with a Veterans Administration disability rating, Rev. Brown appreciates the funding help from CCSP and credits the caring staff and instructors at PVCC with the help he needed to succeed as a student.

“With their help I learned that I was going to have put in extra time, sit closer to the front of the class, and take responsibility for making sure the instructors understood my unique situation to make the best grades possible.

“Thank you and the people of the Charlottesville for your contribution to my success.”