This holiday season, I am writing to express the gratitude of the Crosby Scholars staff and board to our compassionate community for allowing us to further our goal of building a college-going culture in Rowan County.

At the end of our fifth year, our integral partnerships with Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Catawba College, Livingstone College and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College continue to flourish. Ongoing support from generous community foundations and local businesses contributes to the success of the program, which has now served over 6,300 students since 2013.

Through the sustaining support of Goodwill Industries of NWNC, F&M Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and community families like Fred and Alice Stanback, Nancy Stanback, Greg and Missie Alcorn, Larry Cloninger, Tom & Martha Smith, Robert & Jennifer Canipe, Owen & Elizabeth Norvell, Edward & Susan Norvell and many others, we have been able to enhance our services and increase our reach to the students who stand to benefit most from our program.

This fall, we sent 145 Crosby Scholars from the Class of 2018 off to 39 different colleges and universities. We are thankful for the sponsors and attendees of our BBQ, Bands & Boots fundraisers, who have helped make it possible to award $286,500 in Last Dollar Grants to our graduates over the past three years.

And perhaps most importantly, we are thankful to our students for putting their trust in the Crosby Scholars program and for giving us the privilege of walking alongside as they pursue the dream of higher education.

— Jessica Vess

Executive director, Rowan County Crosby Scholars