FSCC hosts annual endowment scholarship banquet

Director of Endowment Gary Palmer and FSCC President Clayton Tatro (back) are pictured with FSCC student presenter Cathy Bott (right) and keynote speaker Pechone Stepps. (Submitted Photo)

The Fort Scott Community College Endowment Association hosted the 28th annual Fort Scott Community College Endowed Scholarship Dinner at the Fort Scott Armory facility on Thursday, Nov. 10.

Nearly 300 people attended the banquet, which serves as an opportunity for donors who establish endowed scholarships to be paired with and meet the scholarship recipients. The evening included a full meal of sliced pork loin, Chinese pepper steak with rice, mashed potatoes and gravy, country style green beans, Mediterranean vegetable mix, tossed salad, dressing, dinner rolls and apple and chocolate pie for dessert.

While donors and student had time to converse with one another over dinner, FSCC student Ben Williams provided live dinner music.

A multimedia presentation highlighted each donor, their legacy and the students who received the respective scholarships throughout the evening. FSCC President Clayton Tatro welcomed the crowd with warm regards.

FSCC Board of Trustee and Alumni and Friends President Robert Nelson gave the invocation.

Director of Admissions Mert Barrows selected FSCC student Cathy Bott to represent the student perspective as an endowed scholarship scholar.

Bott expressed thanks as she told of her struggles in losing her job due to economic pressures, deciding to enroll at FSCC to obtain a degree, being an endowed scholar recipient and her gratitude toward her endowed scholarship donors for providing financial means for her goal to start a new career, a news release said.

Director of Development Gary Palmer introduced Pechone Stepps as keynote speaker.

Stepps shared a story about achieving a goal by having the correct perspective and never giving up.

Stepps also shared his personal story, along with a multimedia presentation showcasing his remarkable recovery from a broken neck and a spinal cord injury.

He encouraged everyone to take advantage of every opportunity life gives you, because you never know when it can take an unexpected turn, the release said. Palmer finished the evening by recognizing nearly 200 endowed scholarship recipients and promoted the legacy that endowed donors can preserve by choosing to endow a scholarship in someone's honor.