Rotary Club of Boca Raton awards $194k in scholarships to PBSC students

Palm Beach State College received a check for $194,000 from the Rotary Club of Boca Raton to support scholarships for students pursuing trade and career programs as well as traditional degrees.

Rotary Club board members, Bill Riddick, Brian Sheehan, Pia Giannone and Tom Giunta, visited the College to present the check and reaffirm their commitment to supporting education and workforce development in the community.

“We’re so excited to see how many students we’ve helped succeed—entering certificate programs, joining the workforce with the right tools, starting their careers and building their futures,” said Bill Riddick president and chairman of the Boca Raton Rotary Fund. “Our true dream and mission are to help students support their families, give back to the community, and get involved, whether through Rotary, their church or another nonprofit.”

Since 2009, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton has awarded scholarships to Palm Beach State College students with financial need. These scholarships have helped cover the cost of tuition, books, tools, equipment and certification exams. To date, the Rotary Club has donated more than $760,000 to PBSC. Beyond financial assistance, the Rotary Club also mentors students and invites them to networking events, helping them build valuable relationships in the community. 

“We are incredibly grateful to the Rotary Club of Boca Raton for their generosity,” said Andria Cunningham, chief executive officer of the Foundation for PBSC and vice president of institutional advancement. “Thanks to their support, we’ve been able to make a difference in the lives of our students. Our community thrives when organizations like theirs step up to invest in the next generation.”

Jadyen Fagot, a student in PBSC’s Marine Service Technology program who will receive up to $6,500 for tuition and tools to start his career, shared his gratitude for the Rotary Club of Boca Raton’s support. “With this scholarship, I’ll get a head start, and I’m really appreciative and honored to receive it. It’s a great opportunity to get my foot in the door and start making connections,” he said.

Other students echoed that appreciation. Bernsley Bertrand, a student in the A.S. Nursing program who received a $1,250 scholarship from the Rotary Club, said the funding will allow him to work fewer hours at his job as a shift manager at a pizza restaurant. “It helps me work less so I can focus more on my education. I’m very thankful,” Bertrand said.

To see photos from the event, view the Boca Raton Rotary Club Check Presentation Flickr album.