Clark Charitable Foundation Pledges $500,000 to Montgomery College for Engineering Scholarships
The Clark Charitable Foundation has pledged $500,000 to support a new scholarship fund for engineering students at Montgomery College (MC). This fund will add even more support to the largest community college engineering transfer program in the nation.
Beginning with the 2015–16 academic year, the A. James Clark Engineering Scholarships—named for the founder of the Bethesda-based Clark Construction Group—will benefit 10-20 students annually. Students who major in engineering, maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need will be considered for the scholarship.
“An important goal of our philanthropy is to meet America’s need for high achieving future engineers,” explained Courtney Clark Pastrick, president of the Clark Charitable Foundation. “We are pleased that this scholarship will support students who otherwise may not have the financial resources to stay in school and complete their college educations.”
During his lifetime, A. James Clark was lauded for his philanthropy, which included a focus on undergraduate education and opportunities for students studying engineering. Among other philanthropic accomplishments, he established scholarships for engineering students both at his alma mater, the University of Maryland College Park, and at George Washington University. Mr. Clark passed away in March at the age of 87.
“We are appreciative of the Clark Charitable Foundation’s support for engineering education for Montgomery College students,” Montgomery College President Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard said. “The scholarships created by this generous gift will honor Mr. Clark’s legacy and provide opportunities for our talented students to complete their education and design the next generation of infrastructure, materials, flight vehicles and more.”
Carol Rognrud, executive director of the Montgomery College Foundation, said that the strength of Montgomery College’s engineering program and its students’ success in transferring to premier four-year programs contributed to the receipt of this grant.
“This gift from the Clark Charitable Foundation means the world to us,” Rognrud said. “We thank Courtney and the A. James Clark family for their generosity to our students and their recognition of the high standards and accomplishments of the College’s engineering program.”
During fall 2014, 1,465 engineering students declared engineering majors, and the College awarded 78 associate of science degrees in engineering during the 2013-14 academic year.
Students select from 11 concentrations, including mechanical, electrical, computer, aerospace and nuclear engineering.
In addition, 856 students transferred to engineering programs at four-year institutions between the 2009–10 and 2012–13 academic years. The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland College Park has been the top recipient of these students, accepting approximately 80 transfer students from Montgomery College each year. The College’s engineering students also transfer to Georgia Institute of Technology, George Mason University, Virginia Polytechnic and State University and Catholic University of America, among others.
To learn more about this scholarship or other opportunities to support Montgomery College students, please contact Ms. Rognrud at 240-567-7493 or carol.rognrud@montgomerycollege.edu.
About the Clark Charitable Foundation
The Clark Charitable Foundation, Inc. is a private organization funded by the A. James Clark Family and managed by its president, Courtney Clark Pastrick. The Foundation places particular emphasis on supporting education in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region.
About Montgomery College
Montgomery College is a public, open admissions community college with campuses in Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring, plus workforce development/continuing education centers and off-site programs throughout Montgomery County, Md. The College serves nearly 60,000 students a year, through both credit and noncredit programs, in more than 130 areas of study.
