Montana Campus Compact (MTCC) recently announced the 2019 winners of the George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship. The award recognizes students working towards a degree or certificate at an MTCC affiliated campus. The award winners have volunteered significant time, energy, and resources into projects that have made a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Jane Dennison and sons, Rick and Robert Dennison and their families, have donated 50% of the funds for the scholarships in memory of their husband and father, George M. Dennison. The winners’ institutions match the other half of each scholarship. Mr. Dennison was tireless in his efforts to promote service and giving. He was a co-founder of Montana Campus Compact.
This fall there was a very competitive group of 36 students who applied for the scholarship. Of these applicants, ten were selected as the scholarship recipients. Miles Community College is proud to announce two of their students were honered in this elite group.
Rebecca Stein Phipps is a second year student from Jordan, MT, majoring in Graphic and Web Design, with certificates in Sales & Marketing and Accounting. Rebecca is a highly respected member of her community, known for her willingness to help wherever she can. Phipps has volunteered for years with Montana Warriors on the Water, and recently was elected to its Board of Directors. She is also a volunteer with Walleyes Unlimited of Montana-Jordan Chapter and previously with the Garfield County Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.
Phipps commented, “Volunteering my time and effort allows me to connect with others from various parts of the community (and sometimes country) that I normally wouldn't have much contact with. It's humbling to know the work within these groups sticks with the recipients for a lifetime, especially those who were struggling before.”
MCC's other award winner, was Maria Azucena “Susie” Rodriguez of Manhattan, MT is a sophomore at MCC, majoring in Nursing. As a volunteer for Montana Immigrant Justice Alliance (MIJA), Susie donates her time to help bring security, hope, peace and happiness to immigrant children and families. She also teaches medical Spanish to health providers, medical technicians and nurses at her local hospital.
“I feel like I am the voice of the unspoken one,” Rodriguez commented. “I am part of a nonprofit called MIJA and I am the president to our community advisory board. We provide education, resources, and legal clinics to immigrants’ families. We are the bridge to resources in our community.”
