This article was originally published on the SMCC website: https://www.smccme.edu/founders-meet-with-smccs-worthington-scholarship-students/

South Portland, Maine – Beverly and David Worthington, founders of the Worthington Scholarship Foundation (WSF), visited Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) recipients of the Worthington Scholarships on Monday, September 12.

The WSF awards scholarships to resource-challenged students from all across Maine. Additionally, it provides in-person support services for students throughout their educational journey. David Worthington said the support system is the backbone of their program.

“The support is essential,” David said. “We can help give them guidance, connect them with services on campus and upper-class students who have been through similar experiences, and provide them with answers to their questions.”

Beverly Worthington said the personal connection with the students is critical to the process.

“We want students to know how much we care about them”, Beverly said. “We’re here for the entire experience. We know their names, where they’re from, and their passions. Funding their education while providing support at the same time makes a powerful impact on our students.”

Second-year Worthington Scholar and Early Childhood major Sierra Henderson said the WSF support was critical to her success.

“Going to college on my own, adulting for the first time, was nerve-wracking,” Henderson said. “It took adjusting and getting used to. Just knowing I had (the WSF) support was incredible. If I needed help, people were here for me at any time.”

SMCC President Joe Cassidy said the program makes a meaningful impact on the lives of Mainers that might not otherwise get a chance at higher education.

“The scholarship is game-changing for these students. Mr. And Mrs. Worthington and the WSF go to great lengths to uniquely understand the applicants and hand-pick individuals to be a part of the program,” President Cassidy said. It starts with financial support, but they do more than that. They give them mentorship and make sure they are connected with the Foundation and other support systems along the way.”

“I love talking to these students because I get to tell them the stories,” Beverly Worthington said. “I get to look at them and tell them if you’re willing to do the work, show the people around you that no matter what you’re going through, you’re willing to do what it takes, they will stand with you. We will stand with you.”

See photos from the visit on the SMCC Flickr page.

To learn more about the Worthington Scholarship Foundation, visit their website at https://www.worthingtonscholars.org/.

This article was originally published in the Wiscasset Newspaper: https://www.wiscassetnewspaper.com/article/nine-wmhs-students-receive-worthington-scholarships/163712

In June, nine graduating seniors at Wiscasset Middle High School received Worthington Scholarships.

The recipients were D’Nisha Dawkins, Latisha Wright, Hailey Talbert, Dillon Leeman, Mason Davenport, Ruby Cossaboon, Maxx Syrjala, Reese Hesseltine and Evan Strong.

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation offered $7 million in scholarships to eligible Class of 2022 graduates from 59 high schools in Franklin, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo and Washington counties who plan to attend Worthington eligible colleges or community colleges in Maine, with each award being up to $16,500.

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation also provides mentoring and student support services to Worthington Scholars throughout their college attendance and works with each partner college to help students attain their education goals.

The Foundation has a unique partnership with First National Bank, Machias Savings Bank, and Bangor Savings Bank who provide additional student supports, and represent the Foundation at our partner high schools, colleges and the community.

For more information and online application contact www.worthingtonscholars.org.

Executive Director Julie Bourgoin talks with WCRQ FM on the Worthington Scholarship Foundation scholarships to Washington County high school seniors. Have a listen!

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation has named Julie Bourgoin as Executive Director. Julie is a seasoned nonprofit leader who comes to the foundation from Nurturing Minds, a U.S.-based organization that improves access to high-quality education for poor and marginalized girls in Tanzania. She headed up their grant-writing efforts and also served as a board member. “Providing a superb education to young people who may not otherwise be able to afford one has long been a passion of mine,” said Bourgoin, who has more than 25 years of development experience in education, health care, and social services. “Affording college can be difficult even in the best of times, but during the pandemic higher education has become even less accessible to many young people. I’m looking forward to expanding opportunities for many more aspiring Maine college students in the coming years.”

With Bourgoin’s guidance, WSF plans to increase its reach both geographically and in the number of scholarships awarded. Currently WSF partners with 59 high schools and 20 two- and four-year colleges in Maine. The goal of the Foundation is to continue to add high school partners and award $10 million in scholarships that will impact more than 700 students per year. “Our vision is to become the premier scholarship provider in Maine, and with Julie at the helm, we will get there in the next several years,” said David Worthington, WFS’s founder and chairman of the board.

‘The Worthington Scholarship Foundation has awarded 215 college scholarships this year totaling $3.4 million to students throughout the mid-coast and Down East.

Over 35% of their new, incoming scholars are first generation college students and all of their scholarships are awarded based on financial need and GPA.

Scholars come from 23 high schools throughout Knox, Waldo, Lincoln, Hancock, and Washington counties and attend college at the University of Maine or Maine community college systems, Maine Maritime Academy, Husson University, Thomas, Bates, Colby or Bowdoin College. Next year, the foundation will expand to 6 additional counties of Oxford, Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Franklin, and Sagadahoc.’

ROCKLAND — The Worthington Scholarship Foundation has awarded 215 college scholarships this year totaling $3.4 million to students throughout the mid-coast and Down East.

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation, based in Rockland, provides one of the largest scholarships in the state, totaling up to $16,500 per student for four-year students and $1,500 per semester for community college students. Aside from funding, the foundation also provides ongoing staff support to their student scholars to ensure they succeed. 

“Our scholars have overcome various personal challenges in their lives to recognize the importance of obtaining a quality education for their future,” says Justin Chenette, the foundation’s program director. “They are staying in Maine due to our scholarship and we are excited to support the next generation achieve a solid foundation of success.” 
Over 35% of their new, incoming scholars are first generation college students and all of their scholarships are awarded based on financial need and GPA.

Scholars come from 23 high schools throughout Knox, Waldo, Lincoln, Hancock, and Washington counties and attend college at the University of Maine or Maine community college systems, Maine Maritime Academy, Husson University, Thomas, Bates, Colby or Bowdoin College.

Next year, the foundation will expand to 6 additional counties of Oxford, Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Franklin, and Sagadahoc.

ROCKLAND – Over $1 million worth of scholarships from the Worthington Scholarship Foundation are still available for students going to college or university in Maine. That’s of the total $3 million the foundation plans to give out this year alone.

Graduating seniors at 23 high schools across Knox, Waldo, Lincoln, Hancock, and Washington counties, are eligible to apply. Students must also be planning to attend any college within the UMaine or Community College systems, Thomas College, Husson University, Maine Maritime Academy, Colby College, Bowdoin College, or Bates College.

“I highly encourage students to evaluate their college financing plans and take advantage of this opportunity to help fund their higher education,” says Justin Chenette, the foundation’s program director. “Our hope is this Worthington Scholarship will enable students to reach their educational goals and put them on a path to success in life.”

Scholarship awards are up to $16,500 and up to $6,000 depending on what path the student selects for college, thanks to the generosity of David and Beverly Worthington, who are summer residents of Spruce Head.

Links to online applications are available on the foundation’s website. The deadline is Aug. 1st.

PORTLAND – The University of Southern Maine has bestowed honorary degrees to the co-founders of the Worthington Scholarship Foundation.
During the virtual commencement ceremony this past weekend, David and Beverly Worthington accepted the Doctor of Humane Letters in a pre-taped video presentation.

“Our passion is about lifting up Maine students to achieve their academic goals,” says Beverly Worthington. “The greatest honor is to see their successes in school, work, and life when given an opportunity.”

The Worthingtons were honored for their charitable contributions to the field of education through the launch of their foundation. Since 2010, the Worthingtons have been providing scholarships to Maine students throughout the mid-coast region.

This year, their scholarship program plans to provide around $3 million worth of scholarships with the average scholarship totaling over $16,000 over 4 years. Next year, they plan to expand the scholarship to include 6 additional counties.

“We appreciate the University of Southern Maine’s recognition of our foundation’s efforts to provide a critical bridge between Maine’s youth and Maine’s future workforce,” says David Worthington. “Our goal has always been to make higher education more accessible and affordable to Maine students.”
Beverly is a retired commercial pilot and Dave was the principal owner of TGS Geophysical Company, a worldwide seismic data acquisition and processing company.

FMI about the scholarship and how students can apply, you can visit www.worthingtonscholars.org.

FORTY FOUR WASHINGTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES RECEIVE $4,000 ANNUAL COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FROM THE WORTHINGTON SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION 
A total of forty four recent graduates from eight Washington County high schools were inaugural recipients of Worthington college scholarships. Several of this year’s recipients due to Covid, had merely completed a general scholarship application form provided by their high school and had little or no knowledge of the Worthington Scholarship specifically.   They were quite surprised and thrilled when they realized the impact of this scholarship.
The scholarship recipients, by high school are:
Calais High School:  
Elizabeth Bitar, Lauren Cook, Emily Doten, Cole Johnson, Michael McFarlane, Ivy McLellan, Gavin Parks, Haley Sewell
East Grand High School
Robert Massey and Cassi Stoddard
Jonesport-Beals 
Patrick Alley, Ryan Alley and Caitlin Childers
Machias Memorial
McKenna Harriman, Abigail Hooper, Grace Preston, Megan Preston and Makayla Sadler
Narraguagus
Aryana Beal, Jasmine Church, Dayana Ortiz Garcia, Anna Taylor, Madelyn Willey, Rodrigo Zamora Paniagua
Shead
Cassidee Lawrence, Jan Ramos Arroyo, Kiesha Scott
Washington Academy
Jonathan Bragg, Haley Cherry, Margaux DeSantis, Jaimie Fairchild, Zain Fitzsimmons, Orlin David Flores Vargas, Riley Fraser, Grayson Lanham, Cooper Leighton, Jordan Lobley, Breann Vane, Marek Veal
Woodland
Antonia Gagner, Bogumil Korasadowicz, Chania Monk, Connor Reynolds, Summer Woodruff

These students count among the 200 additional new scholarships awarded to the class of 2020, doubling the 204 awarded last year to now total 404 scholarships.  Each new award is for attendance at either a four year or community college and can amount to $16,000 towards a four- year degree.  Expected funding for Worthington scholars in the class of 2020 will be $3,200,000. The scholarship is merit and need-based; now offered to seniors at 23 high schools in Knox, Waldo, Lincoln, Hancock, and Washington counties, who will attend a Maine college. The Foundation works closely with our partner colleges, and also community partners First National Banks, Machias Savings Banks, and The Hutchinson Center to help students succeed in their education goals.

Nineteen former high school students from midcoast Maine have recently graduated from their college degree programs, which were supported by a Worthington Scholarship.   More than half of the nineteen graduates were first generation college goers and most have obtained or are seeking full time career employment in Maine.   Five of the graduate’s positions are in the medical or health services field; one is in business management and four are applying to or attending graduate school.  One has a full- time position in cybersecurity out of state. Only one graduate due to health reasons is not currently seeking a position due to the Covid pandemic.  

2020 Worthington Scholarship Recipients Graduates – CONGRATULATIONS!! – are:
Central Maine Community College
Gabriella Fitzgerald, Accounting (Business)
Eastern Maine Community College
Samantha Leighton, Medical Radiography (Health Care)
Husson University
Charlotte Strong-Ames, Nursing (Health Care)
Keeli Wood, Marketing (Business)
Kennebec Valley Community College
Emily Batty, Radiology (Health Care)
Cassidy Benner, Medical Assisting (Health Care)
Kaileigh Ross , Medical Assisting (Health Care) 
Maine Maritime Academy
Andrew King, International Business and Logistics 
University of Maine Farmington
Sydney Gustafson, Rehabilitation (Health Care)  
Michaela Wright, Elementary Education
University of Maine Fort Kent
Jamie Brown, Nursing; Health Care 
University of Maine Orono
Mary Allen, Business Management 
Aiden Lammert, Computer Science 
Juliana Haynes, Marketing; Business 
Joshua Luttrell, Management and International Business
Hilary Merrifield, Biology, Pre-med 
Francis Pendleton, Pre-Dental; Health Care  
University of Southern Maine
Rebecca Boggs, Social Sciences
Washington County Community College
Domonick Jameson, Welding
In addition, one year of scholarship funds were provided to Matthew Ackley for a year of graduate studies at University of Maine Orono since he completed his four-year degree in three years. 
These scholarships over the 1 – 4 years of the students’ programs amount to approximately $220,000.   In 2020 the program has further expanded into Lincoln Hancock and Washington counties.   A total of approximately 464 students will receive scholarships this year; double the number who did in 2019.     For more information on the Worthington Scholarship Foundation please visit our website at:  www.worthingtonscholars.org or contact us at (207) 596-5800.