Inside the 20th annual Sansing Scholars Luncheon

 

The annual 2022 Sansing Scholars Luncheon was one of the best yet as it celebrated its 20^th year. Sandy Sansing, PSC alum and founder of the Sansing Scholars program in 2002, met with 10 student scholarship recipients over lunch to share his life story and reasons for giving.

 

While these students were free to ask as many questions of Sansing as they could, many of the students shared the emotional, personal impact that his generosity had on their education and prospect for the future.

 

First generation high school and college student, Elizabeth Vandyne, shared her struggle with the college experience; “It’s been difficult navigating. I’m learning to study as I go.”

 

She’s thankful for the help that the Sansing Scholars program has provided her, noting that she especially likes having the “personal connection.”

 

“It’s easy for people to donate and not see the student side.” Elizabeth enjoyed having the face-to-face time meeting her scholarship donor, Sansing, and praised his approach to the donor-recipient relationship saying; “[By meeting the students] You get that personal connection of knowing what you’re giving for.”

 

Recent graduate, Alan Drake, shared a similar struggle with adapting to the demands of college: “It was really difficult for me; the first two years were tough.”

 

Both students noted that they utilized the TRIO Student Support Services to help meet their academic needs. Drake expressed his appreciation of the services, commenting how they helped him “climb the ladder.”

 

He also shared his gratitude for Sansing and the Sansing Scholars program, saying, “He [Sandy Sansing] played a huge part in my future, it helped me out the last couple of semesters. I don’t say this much, but it was a huge blessing for me.”

 

If you are interested in supporting PSC students with scholarship donations, visit https://foundation.pensacolastate.edu/opportunities-to-support-psc/scholarships/ or contact Mikenzie Francis, Director of Foundation Scholarships at (850) 484-1788 or mrfrancis@pensacolastate.edu.

 

For more information about applying for scholarships and other forms of financial support at Pensacola State College, visit https://www.pensacolastate.edu/financial-aid/ or contact the Financial Aid Department at (850) 484-1680 or fava@pensacolastate.edu.

 

For information on TRIO Student Support Services, visit https://www.pensacolastate.edu/current-students/student-services/trio/ or contact the TRIO program at (850) 484-2028.