PUTNAM COUNTY SCHOLARS ENDOWMENT

Putnam County Scholarship fund provides support to students based on merit and need

Members of the Palatka Senior High School Class of 1961 are reaching out to community members and fellow alumni to help increase educational opportunities for Putnam County residents. The Putnam County Scholarship fund was generated to provide support to students based on merit and need.

Tom Hyers, Elizabeth McLean Hyers and Tom Hunter created the endowment after visiting class reunion websites and discovering the number of alumni who began their postsecondary education at St. Johns River State College. The three were impressed with the number of local graduates and wanted to continue the hometown trend.

“There are residents in the county who want to attend college but cannot afford it. This endowed fund is intended to help those individuals,” Tom Hyers said. “We know and love Putnam County for its scenic beauty and friendly people, but the county remains one of the poorest in Florida. In a recent survey, Putnam ranked 50th out of 67 Florida counties in per capital income.”

Hyers said they are looking to increase the endowment and provide more scholarship support. “We believe SJR State is a great resource, and we want to help in its educational mission in the county,” he said. The SJR State Foundation offers numerous scholarships, funded by the contributions of businesses, non-profit entities, and individuals, to students who meet the criteria established by the scholarship donors.


PHOTO CAPTION:
Tom and Elizabeth Hyers (pictured) and Tom Hunter – Members of the Palatka Senior High School Class of 1961 - have created a scholarship fund to benefit Putnam County residents.

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
Director of Public Relations and Publications
(386) 312-4021