On May 9th, 2014, Cerro Coso Community College’s Eastern Sierra College Center celebrated the graduation of the class of 2014. The ceremony was a lively and emotional occasion; by the time keynote speakers began addressing the crowd, space was limited to standing-room only. It was truly an inspiring sight: community members, family and friends in solidarity, celebrating graduating students’ accomplishments.
For many, a college education is assumed to be daunting or even unfeasible, both financially and logistically. Fortunately, the communities of the Eastern Sierra are blessed with local foundations that place a higher education within reach of all local students. The proof is in the track record: among those graduating were several recipients of the Eastern Sierra Foundation Scholarship, a program that has funded a college education for hundreds of local students.
The Eastern Sierra Foundation (ESF) has been serving potential and current students in Inyo County for over 20 years. Founded with the intention of building the Eastern Sierra College Center, ESF evolved to pursue and continuously realize its current and exclusive goal: providing full-tuition scholarships for Inyo County residents who wish to pursue higher education. Again, the proof is in the track record. In the period of 2003-2011, ESF awarded over 600 scholarships. Those 600 scholarships not only represented 600 full-tuition packages, but also 600 opportunities for better careers and 600 opportunities for better lives.
As ESF congratulates the class of 2014 and the achievements of its scholarship recipients, the executive board looks forward to celebrating the next 600 students who will walk up on stage to accept their diplomas.
Prospective students may obtain scholarship applications at the Bishop campus in the Admissions and Records Office or at the Counseling Office. The Scholarship covers all course enrollment fees and up to a maximum of $300 for required text book fees. Applicants must be full-time (enrolled in 12 or more credits) and attend the Bishop Campus of Cerro Coso Community College.
ESF and its scholarships are completely volunteer supported and 100% donation-funded. All contributions go to support scholarships available to any California resident who resides in Inyo County. Anyone wishing to make a donation can make their check payable to the “Eastern Sierra Foundation”, and note “Scholarships” on the memo line. Checks can be delivered to any member the Eastern Sierra Foundation Board, or checks can be delivered c/o Rick Litman, 3792 Ranch Road, Bishop, CA 93514 Bishop, California.
Please contact Jeff Griffiths, ESF President at 760 937-0072 for more information.
