When the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise scholarship program was launched in 2014, it was one of the earliest Promise programs in the nation and the first such initiative in Texas.
On Thursday, an assembly was held to announce the 12th group of Rusk High School seniors who are eligible to join Tyler Junior College’s freshman class of 2025.
A partnership between TJC, the TJC Foundation, Rusk ISD, Citizens 1st Bank and The Perkins Family Foundation, the Rusk Promise covers up to $4,000 per year for two years at TJC. In addition to graduating in the top half of their class with a minimum 2.5 GPA, qualifying students must also reside in Rusk ISD and must have attended Rusk High School for grades 11 and 12.
“This program was the vision of Mr. and Mrs. James I. Perkins, who have a long and strong desire to make college affordable for outstanding students right here in Rusk,” said Megan Cumbee Burns, TJC senior manager of scholarships and the Rusk Promise. She is also a 2006 graduate of Rusk High School.
Burns continued, “So far, 400 students have attended TJC and benefited from that scholarship. The program has allowed these individuals the opportunity to receive a quality education in technical training, where they can quickly enter the workforce, or they can take the classes the need to finish their degree at TJC and go on to a transfer university. And even better, the vision of scholarships and a college education doesn’t stop there because of the Perkins family’s generosity, you students have the opportunity to continue your studies at The University of Texas at Tyler because they have established the TJC UT Tyler Transfer Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 for two years.”
Mitch Andrews, TJC vice president of institutional advancement, said, “I sat in your seat my senior year in high school, looking toward my future and thinking about what educational opportunities I wanted to pursue to ensure that I had a successful career and a successful life. And I had the same opportunity as you, which is to benefit from one of the greatest gifts: the gift scholarships. You have the opportunity to benefit from that gift through the first-ever community-based Promise program established in the state of Texas, the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise.”
Jim Perkins said, “It is such an honor and a privilege to be here sharing in this exciting opportunity with you. My family and I are all Rusk Eagles, and we’re so proud of what you’ve been able to do. It’s my understanding that Rusk Promise scholars are outperforming their TJC counterparts in every meaningful academic metric, by passing more classes, having higher GPAs and graduating at a higher rate. Statistics show that two-thirds of all new jobs that produce livable wages require a credential beyond high school, and that associate degree graduates will earn at least $500,000 more over their lifetime than those with no post-high school degree or certificate. I want to ask you as a longtime citizen of Rusk and this community to please consider, upon completing your education, moving back to Rusk and helping lead this fine place to live. Congratulations on earning the Rusk Promise Scholarship. We are proud of you and wish you much future success.”
TJC President and CEO Dr. Juan E. Mejia said, “It is a most special day when leaders from throughout the Rusk community come together to celebrate students, families and educators, who are working collaboratively to pay it forward and increase the educational attainment levels. Wholehearted appreciation to the Perkins family, to the leadership team from Citizens 1st Bank, and to the Rusk ISD board and superintendent, and the principal, and faculty and staff from Rusk High School. At Tyler Junior College, we remain committed to this important work.”
This year’s 49 eligible Rusk Promise scholars are: Aidan Acker, Dakota Adams, Alondra Aguayo, Terrius Aldridge, Elijah Arias, David Blankinship, Elaina Brinkley, Tanner Brooks, Trent Byars, Benjamin Chandler, Jake Clark, Kylee Dunn, Zoe Floyd, Madelynn Ford, Ty Glover, Hailey Gray, Destyne Harris, Ja’Nya Hart, Katelyn Henslee, Vivian Hernandez, Carter Holland, Kiley Hunter, Mara Jones, Alyjia Katon, Elizabeth Kimbrell, Ava Kozlovsky, Amonrada Lustig, Kolby Lynn, Michael Martinez-Gutierrez, Wesley McCalister, Gracie McCown, Kyle McNew, Ariel Meador, Jamarkus Mickens, Rachael Miller, Lily Patterson, Nathaniel Phillips, Austin Randall, Kasey Rasberry, Kody Rasberry, Xavier Reggie, Chasden Richards, Liliana Rivera, Haley Robison, Imanol Rojas, Victor Sanchez, Angelica Santaolaya Vences and Jacob Trawick.
For more information on the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise, go to TJC.edu/RuskPromise.