The Blue Mountain Community College Foundation recently announced that 104 students will benefit from 126 scholarships awarded for the 2022-23 academic year totaling $268,650 — the highest amount in five years.

In a press release, Executive Director Ken Daniel said the foundation received 184 applications from students across 10 Oregon counties and four adjacent states. Based on academic performance and need, he said the scholarships will assist students in covering tuition costs and educational expenses while attending BMCC.

The scholarships, Daniel said, were made possible because of donations from alumni, faculty, staff and the community. And he invites people to consider giving a gift during the foundation’s annual giving campaign, which raises money for scholarships and to provide emergency assistance to students. Support the Pack & Make an Impact kicked off Nov. 1 and continues through Feb. 1.

“The support our students receive from the generous spirit of others is truly inspiring and touching,” Phil Hamm, BMCC Foundation board chair, said.

Among the awards, the Amazon Web Services Scholarship was given to 11 students, with each receiving $9,000: Tyler Armour, Ruth Daugherty, Stephanie Griggs, Shayla Miller, Sierra Moore, Hugo Perez, Victor Perez, Landon Ragsdale, Graysen Soper, Heather Walls and Devlyn Wilson. Armour and Ragsdale also received $7,250 awards from the 7×24 Exchange Oregon and SW Washington Chapter Scholarship.

In addition, Mersadees Avila received a total of $7,000 with pair of $3,500 awards from the Mervin & Gena Leonard Scholarship and Griffith-Paul Scholarship; and Macaylah Force was awarded a total of $4,500 with the Mervin & Gena Leonard Scholarship ($3,500) and Crystal Gale Ramser Memorial Scholarship ($1,000).

And each of these students received a total of $4,000 with multiple scholarships: Samantha Durning, Shirlee G. Mcgreer Scholarship ($3,000) and a BMCC Foundation Scholarship ($1,000); Lexie Flanagan, Baker County Scholarship ($1,000), Betty Gray Scholarship ($2,000) and Jack & Pat Clubb Memorial Scholarship ($1,000); and Patrick Ramos, Diesel Technology Scholarship ($3,000) and Clarence F. Gohl Memorial Scholarship ($1,000). For a full list of scholarships and recipients, visit bit.ly/3YqgeVz.

“We believe each student will advance at BMCC, while continuing to make an impact in their chosen careers and personal lives,” Daniel said. “It is an honor to invest in them, recognizing that many others, including family, friends, and educators, have made important contributions in helping them reach their potential.”

To make a donation, visit bit.ly/3G6sfIR or send a check to: BMCC Foundation, P.O. Box 100, Pendleton, OR 97801. For questions, call Daniel at 541-278-5775.