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 Helen L. & Douglas C. Eliason
Scholarship Fund
Helen and Doug Eliason believe that education is the
best tool to improve the lot of individuals, their families and
their communities. In 1996 Helen L. Eliason established the Helen L.
& Douglas C. Scholarship Fund at the DCF to provide educational
assistance to deserving Delaware students – students who otherwise
might not be able to attend college or other institutions of
learning – in order to help them lead productive lives and return
something to their community. Preference is given to students who
work to provide some of their educational expenses.
Students throughout Delaware have been awarded Eliason
Scholarships to attend the University of Delaware, Delaware Technical
and Community College, Delaware State University, Goldey-Beacom College
and Wilmington College. The Eliasons had the opportunity to meet some of
these students at a reception in 2000, including Valerie H. Cale, a May
2000 graduate of Delaware Technical & Community College.
According to Valerie, “My education would not have been
possible without this scholarship. The Eliasons’ confidence in me has
motivated me to want to do my best. Their encouragement made me strive
even further.” While a student at Delaware Tech, Valerie was named “Most
Professional Student Dental Hygienist.” She was a member of Phi Theta
Kappa and President of Student American Dental Hygienists. She planned
to work full-time as a hygienist for a few years, then earn a Bachelor’s
degree so she can teach. Her long-term goal is to become a periodontist.
Rebecca Hurst, who received a Masters of Social Work
from Delaware State University in 2000, received one of the first
scholarships awarded from the Helen L. & Douglas C. Eliason Scholarship
Fund when she returned to school in 1998. In addition to helping Chongun
Choe pay her tuition, the Eliason Scholarship motivated her to think
about others in this society. She commented, “I plan to help others like
this scholarship helped me.” After graduating from the University of
Delaware in 2000, she planned to continue her education at the Biblical
Theological Seminary for a Master of Arts degree, and hopes to get a
Ph.D. in the future. Chongun wants to work on poverty issues in this
country. |
