GyBill
07-15-2005, 17:35
Historical society awards $500 scholarships to three NCOs
MCRD San Diego
Story by Cpl. Jess Levens
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (July 15, 2005) -- The depot's command museum historical society gave three $500 college scholarships to Marines during a breakfast Tuesday morning at Duncan Hall.
The noncommissioned officers attending Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program Preparatory School here applied and wrote an essay to earn the three-year-old scholarship named for Col. Nathan Smith, who passed away in 2003.
Retired chaplain Victor Krulak Jr. gave some history on Col. Smith and the scholarship. He also told about the process of choosing the winners.
"We've all done our homework," said Krulak about the judges. "We go in there ready to fight for our candidates."
He also explained they research the applicants so thoroughly, that they usually have the same candidates picked, thus making the process easier.
Krulak then introduced the late colonel's wife, Janet Smith, who presented the scholarships. Sgts. Corey Ferguson and Joshua Woods and Cpl. Adam Arellano each approached Mrs. Smith to claim their scholarships.
"I'm very excited to win this scholarship," said Arellano, 25. "I applied for this one in particular because it's from the historical society, and with as much as they do, I'd love to put their help to good use."
Arellano, a fighter jet electrician, plans to attend the University of Utah to study business and information systems.
The most common use for the scholarship among the recipients is books.
"The (Montgomery) G.I. Bill pays for tuition, but not books in MECEP," said 24-year-old Ferguson, a public affairs major at Auburn University, Ala. "The cost of books is just under $500, so this scholarship will be perfect."
Twenty-two-year-old Woods agreed with Ferguson.
"I know at San Diego State (University), $500 covers about two semesters of books, said Woods, a psychology major who wants to become a pilot once commissioned. "It could also cover four semesters of campus parking. Either way, it will help a lot."
Col. Smith's daughter, Jean Smith, said she was very pleased with the scholarship presentations.
"My father, who was very active with the historical society, had a passion for knowledge and learning," she said. "He was always looking for more, and I think the scholarships are an excellent way to carry on his name and memory. He wanted nothing more than for Marines to keep learning."
MCRD San Diego
Story by Cpl. Jess Levens
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (July 15, 2005) -- The depot's command museum historical society gave three $500 college scholarships to Marines during a breakfast Tuesday morning at Duncan Hall.
The noncommissioned officers attending Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program Preparatory School here applied and wrote an essay to earn the three-year-old scholarship named for Col. Nathan Smith, who passed away in 2003.
Retired chaplain Victor Krulak Jr. gave some history on Col. Smith and the scholarship. He also told about the process of choosing the winners.
"We've all done our homework," said Krulak about the judges. "We go in there ready to fight for our candidates."
He also explained they research the applicants so thoroughly, that they usually have the same candidates picked, thus making the process easier.
Krulak then introduced the late colonel's wife, Janet Smith, who presented the scholarships. Sgts. Corey Ferguson and Joshua Woods and Cpl. Adam Arellano each approached Mrs. Smith to claim their scholarships.
"I'm very excited to win this scholarship," said Arellano, 25. "I applied for this one in particular because it's from the historical society, and with as much as they do, I'd love to put their help to good use."
Arellano, a fighter jet electrician, plans to attend the University of Utah to study business and information systems.
The most common use for the scholarship among the recipients is books.
"The (Montgomery) G.I. Bill pays for tuition, but not books in MECEP," said 24-year-old Ferguson, a public affairs major at Auburn University, Ala. "The cost of books is just under $500, so this scholarship will be perfect."
Twenty-two-year-old Woods agreed with Ferguson.
"I know at San Diego State (University), $500 covers about two semesters of books, said Woods, a psychology major who wants to become a pilot once commissioned. "It could also cover four semesters of campus parking. Either way, it will help a lot."
Col. Smith's daughter, Jean Smith, said she was very pleased with the scholarship presentations.
"My father, who was very active with the historical society, had a passion for knowledge and learning," she said. "He was always looking for more, and I think the scholarships are an excellent way to carry on his name and memory. He wanted nothing more than for Marines to keep learning."