The Community Foundation of the NRV 2022 2023 Annual Report

Future Commercial Pilot Benefits from Consistent CFNRV Scholarships

fund is fully endowed, income generated from the investment can start awarding scholarships annually, with the goal of funding students for generations to come. The 2023 scholarship recipients include 50 high school seniors, with the greatest number of students coming from Blacksburg High School (11), Floyd County High School (10), Christiansburg High School (8), Eastern Montgomery High School (6), and Auburn High School (4). Also receiving scholarships are 42 college students, with the most students coming from Virginia Tech (27), Radford University (16), and New River Community College (6). “We received a record number of applications this year and I am proud to say that we were able to fund over half of them,” said Laura Pynn, who manages the CFNRV scholarship program. “It is very important to us to help students find a way to realize their dreams when, for so many, college seems so out of reach.” Next year’s scholarship application cycle will open this October, with a deadline to apply in January 2024. Anyone interested in learning more about establishing a scholarship fund to support students in our region may contact the foundation at 540-381-8999 or cfnrv@cfnrv.org.

Cole Shepherd, from Elliston is currently in his final year at Delta State University in Mississippi.

A CFNRV scholarship recipient since 2020, Cole Shepherd calls the support “an absolute blessing”. Cole is studying to be a commercial pilot, which is a long and expensive road. “From the 34 students that started with me in the commercial aviation path, there are only seven of us left,” said Cole. “A good portion of them had to drop out because of the high costs of this career path. Scholarships like the ones from CFNRV have helped me to continue this path.” Following college, Cole will need to log more flight hours before transitioning into his dream career as a pilot. Once he is established in his career, Cole wants to help students just like him by donating back to the CFNRV.

Photo courtesy of Cole Shepherd

I am so appreciative of being a recipient of this scholarship. The Community Foundation of New River Valley has been a great part of my success so far in my journey to become a commercial pilot.

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2022 - 2023 ANNUAL REPORT

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