During her 26-year career at Beaufort County Community College, Sue Brookshire worked with and helped many students.

“I have seen women with the ability to succeed who could benefit from some financial help,” she said. “Because of my parents’ legacy to my sister and me I am able to offer some help for women on their educational journey.”

As a first-generation college graduate, “learning has been lifelong for me. My educational journey included undergraduate study at four colleges and universities in four states,” Brookshire said. “As a young wife and mother, I returned to graduate school at East Carolina University over the course of three decades and earned three master’s degrees. I earned my last degree at the age of 55.”

That’s why Brookshire, who retired in December from the staff at BCCC, established an endowment that will fund scholarships for students who find themselves in a similar situation.

BCCC President Barbara Tansey praised Brookshire’s dedication and generosity in creating the endowment.

“Sue Brookshire, both during her tenure at BCCC and now as she is enjoying her retirement, was and continues to be loved by the students she served. This endowment will continue to be a fitting reminder of that high regard and her dedication to students at the college,” Tansey said.

The endowment will award scholarships to a second-year, female student completing her second semester at BCCC. The student should be 30 years old or older, maintain a 2.5 grade point average or greater and be planning to transfer to a four-year college or university to be eligible to receive the scholarship.

Potential candidates must have one of the following circumstances to quality: a life-changing event in the last three years, death of a spouse or a child, divorce, bankruptcy or similar situation or facing a serious health issue.

The BCCC Foundation hopes to award a scholarship from the endowment as early as the Spring 2014 Semester, according to Foundation Director Judy Jennette.

For more information about creating an endowment for students at BCCC, interested persons should contact Jennette at 252-940-6326.