Roanoke News
Campus News & Events
Seven National Students Win Local Scholarship Totaling $17,000
Seven National College students from the Roanoke Valley Campus have been awarded scholarships by the Kitas and Lutsko Family Foundation totaling $17,000. Melody Austin, Holly Fitch and Jeremy Seitz each received $3,000 awards; while Alan Cooper, Christine English, Susan James and Tammy Javier each received $2,000 awards.
Pictured (l to r): Melody Austin, Tammy Javier, and Christine English
The scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and demonstrated financial need, and are for students in either a technical or health care related field of study at one of three colleges, including National, in the Roanoke Valley. Scholarship applicants had to face a personal, in-depth interview with Mr. and Mrs. Ed Kitas to be considered. Mr. Kitas, the President and Director of the Foundation, complimented the students from National: “All of your applicants were outstanding, and we are happy to help such fine people.”
Jeremy Seitz, Susan James, Holly Fitch, and Alan Cooper
The Kitas and Lutsko families are from the Roanoke area and established a foundation to respond to the increasing costs of education in Virginia and the hardships these costs often place on adult learners with family and other financial obligations.
“I had no idea I would ever qualify for an important scholarship, but my financial need was such that I just had to listen to [Dean of Faculty Peter] Wonson and [Campus Director Lew] Bishop and do what they told me to do,” said Tammy, “They both encouraged me and I am really excited and relieved that I listened to them and got this financial assistance that is so important to me right now.”
Holly and Christine are enrolled in the bachelor's degree program in the health care management; Melody and Susan are medical assisting majors; Alan is an information systems engineering major; and Tammy and Jeremy are in the paramedic program. It is a remarkable accomplishment for National College to receive seven of these prized scholarships and it is a true reflection of the students’ commitment to education.
