Photo courtesy of the COLLEGE FUND OF PINELLAS COUNTY
Newly elected officers of the College Fund of Pinellas County are, from left, Robert Rankine, James Cordea, Lawrence Poindexter, Roxanne Berger, Sharron Rankine and Bette Ra Ivey.
LARGO – The College Fund of Pinellas County held its annual meeting Feb. 22 at the Largo Public Library, kicking off the organization’s fiscal year and setting the tone for fund raising and selection of college grant recipients.
Invited speakers were Nancy Waclawek, director of corporate giving for the Tampa Bay Times, and Todd Smith, director of financial aid services at St. Petersburg College. Both provided information regarding the current state of college costs and grant opportunities to assist the College Fund directors plan their activities for the year.
Following the panel discussion with the College Fund directors, the organization reviewed annual reports and elected officers for 2013. James Cordea of Largo was elected president of the board of directors. Other members are Audrey Scheidenhelm, vice president student selection; Gerald Dominick, vice president of finance; Robert Rankine, vice president of public relations; Roxanne Berger, treasurer; Sharron Rankine, assistant treasurer; Bette Ra Ivey, recording secretary and Lawrence Poindexter, corresponding secretary.
The College Fund of Pinellas County is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization run entirely by volunteers. Money is raised to help financially disadvantaged Pinellas County residents who have excellent scholastic potential, but insufficient funds to obtain a bachelor’s degree and thereby improve themselves, their family’s living standard and their role in the community. Students are selected through a rigorous process involving a review of grades and finances and a personal interview. Grants are typically $1,000 per year in $500 increments, dependent upon a review of grades, finances and course load after each semester.
The College Fund has no paid employees. The financial contributions from its directors and advisers exceed its administrative costs; therefore, 100 percent of the donations from the public are used to support students. Since 1966, the College Fund has helped over 650 financially disadvantaged students achieve their goal of a college education.
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