The “Bridge to Higher
Education” scholarships were
awarded to six recipients for
the fall 2008 semester by
Congressman Patrick
Murphy.
The awards ceremony took
place on Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. in
the library conference room.
The six recipients of the
scholarships were: Rachael
Sadorf, Elizabeth Hernandez,
Zachary Ostrow, Rachel
Perch, Rachel Back, and
David Windrim.
The scholarships are sponsored
by the Gene and
Marlene Epstein
Humanitarian Fund,
McCafferty Auto Group, and
Delaware Valley Scrap.
Eligibility was determined
solely on the financial situation
of the applicants.
“Over a year ago, this scholarship
was started,” said Tobi
Bruhn, executive director of
the Bucks Foundation. “The
program was designed with
the purpose for students to
have a higher education that
might not be able to otherwise.”
The awards were designed
for low-income students from
the Lower Bucks County area
to have an opportunity to
have a chance to succeed in
higher education.
Gene Epstein, a sponsor of
the scholarships, decided to
be a part of such a program
based on his own life experiences.
“I attended Temple
University, but decided not to
continue until graduation
and I pursued business,” said
Epstein. “As successful as I
was in business, I had the
inner-feeling that I had
missed something. You kids
are here getting this scholarship
because of what I did.”
“Gene was able to live the
‘American Dream,'” said
Murphy. “I was here 17 years
ago and I would study in this
library. The ‘Bridge to
Higher Education’ helps you
have an education and live
the ‘American Dream.’
Change the world you live in
for the better. Only 25 percent
of people in this country
are blessed to go to college
and one-third of people don’t
graduate from high school.”
As each award was given
out by Murphy, Epstein, and
Bruhn, the six recipients were
congratulated by each and a
group photograph was taken
to commemorate the event.
“The faculty and staff told
me that you can do anything
you set your mind to,” said
Murphy. “The faculty and
staff really care about you
here. You won’t find a better
college in the country than
Bucks County Community
College.”
After the
scholarships
were awarded
to each
r e c i p i e n t ,
Bruhn said
that because
so many applications
were received, there
will be many more opportunities
for awards in the
future.
“We are asking businesses
to put up $1,500 to sponsor a
student and when we have 10
more sponsors, we will have
10 more scholarships to
award,” said Epstein.
After everyone had spoken
and the awards handed out,
Epstein offered sentiments to
the recipients.
“You are the inaugural
group for this scholarship, so
you need to do the best you
can and succeed.”
For more information on
eligibility requirements or to
obtain an application, visit
the Bucks Foundation’s website
at bucks.edu/foundation.
In addition, assistance in
completing the application
can be obtained by scheduling
an appointment with
Financial Aid at (215) 968-
8200.