Rusher Oil Co., a BP branded petroleum marketer servicing BP locations throughout Salisbury-Rowan and the Piedmont, presented a BP Fueling Communities grant donation of $5,000 to the Rowan County Crosby Scholars Community Partnership.
Rowan Crosby Scholars is a nonprofit college access program that works with public middle and high school students throughout Rowan County.
With only 17 percent of Rowan County’s population age 25 and older holding a bachelor’s degree, the program aims to create a college-going culture in Rowan. Modeled after a program in Forsyth County, Rowan Crosby will assist students personally, academically and financially.
Rusher Oil has been able to reinforce its support of Rowan Crosby through the BP Fueling Communities grant program. The program gives back to local organizations that support health, education, youth, food and housing to spread charity and good will.
“As a local BP Branded Marketer, Rusher Oil Company along with BP, is proud to support the people of Rowan County. By supporting the Crosby Scholars program, we feel that we are helping bring hope to the students in Rowan County,” Bobby Rusher said in a news release.
In Rowan Crosby’s initial year, more than 1,700 sixth- through 10th-grade students have enrolled in the program, with more than 400 students scheduled to graduate as the first Crosby Scholars in 2016. The Forsyth Crosby program boasts a 100 percent graduation rate for their seniors, with 98 percent of them going on to post-secondary education.
“Our program relies on the commitment of community partners to help us ensure that every Crosby Scholar who has a dream of going to college has that opportunity,” Jennifer Canipe, Crosby executive director, said in the news release. “The support of BP and Rusher Oil Company is truly appreciated.”