News Article

Charlotte Educators Establish Scholarship Endowment at FSW

Apr 28, 2015

The Charlotte County Retired Educators Association (CCREA) established a $50,000 scholarship endowment for Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) students pursuing an education degree. 

The CCREA established a permanently restricted endowment with the FSW Foundation this spring to enhance the sustainability of their scholarship fund. Dr. Joseph Kramp, Director of Development with the FSW Foundation, worked with the CCREA.

“The remarkable generosity of the members of the CCREA will support Charlotte County and the entire Southwest Florida region for generations to come. With this gift they have taught us all that the only wealth we keep is the wealth that we give away,” said Kramp.

During research on local student needs, members of the CCREA determined that more non-traditional students are going back to school to train as educators.

“We realize that fewer graduating seniors are going into education while non-traditional students are returning to college in hopes of becoming a teacher,” said CCREA President Sonja Rozier. “This endowment will be available through FSW for Charlotte County residents, full or part time, seeking a degree in education.”

Besides the new endowment, the CCREA will continue supporting graduating high school seniors with Future Educator Scholarships.

“It’s our hope that we will see our money benefit students who will become part of the next generation of teachers in the Charlotte County Public School system,” said Rozier.

The FSW School of Education offers associate and bachelor degrees in elementary, middle grades and secondary education. For more information, visit www.FSW.edu/soe.  

About CCREA:

The Charlotte County Retired Educations Association, District VII of the Florida State Retired Educators Association was founded in 1973. CCREA is a social group of retired school board employees from numerous states.  Present members include former professors, principals, administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, bookkeepers and custodians.  Our members chose to stay actively involved in education by volunteering in our local schools and awarding graduating seniors with Future Educator college scholarships.  Eight Charlotte County college students presently receive one of our yearly scholarships and one receives the Joan Stancil FREF scholarship. 

About the FSW Foundation:

Since 1966, the Florida SouthWestern State College Foundation has been enhancing the quality of higher education for FSW students and faculty. The FSW Foundation has awarded $1.2 million for student scholarships and $700,000 in academic support to the college annually since 2011. The Foundation’s focus is attracting and managing private contributions from individuals, organizations, businesses and other private foundations to support the college’s mission. To learn more about the non-profit, tax-exempt FSW Foundation or to make a gift, visit foundation.fsw.edu. 

About FSW:

Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving more than 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW will debut its intercollegiate athletics program in the fall 2015. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.

Last Updated: April 28, 2015