Delmarva Education Foundation - What's New

2013 USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, deadline May 17!

Linda J — 2013-05-09T12:53:00.0000000-05:00

Recruiting has opened for high school and college students for the 2013 USDA/1890 National Scholars Program. All application materials must be postmarked no later than May 17, 2013 and sent to the program liaison at the 1890 Land-Grant University the applicant plans to attend or is attending.

This is a fantastic scholarship opportunity! Each award provides annual tuition, internships, and use of a laptop computer, printer and software while on scholarship, fees, books, room and board for each academic year.

Many bachelor's degree programs of study are eligible, including but not limited to: Agriculture, Food, Natural Resource Sciences, Agribusiness, Agriculture Education/Extension, Animal Science, Biology, Chemistry, Dietetics, Environmental Science, General Agriculture, Microbiology, Nutrition, Plant and Soil Science, Poultry Technology & Management, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, and Urban Forestry, Accounting, Business, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Finance, and Marketing.

Click here for the high school student application.

Click here for the college student application.

"Honor An Educator" See who's made the honor roll!

Linda J — 2013-04-26T14:23:00.0000000-05:00

DEF's “Honor an Educator” program

Pay tribute to someone who taught you well by hanging an “apple” with your honoree’s name on it on the DEF "Honor an Educator Tree.” The person recognized could be a teacher, mentor, relative, friend, coach, advisor, scoutmaster, counselor, or other individual who was especially inspirational, motivating, or supportive. The suggested donation is a minimum of $1 per “apple” and DEF will publicize the honorees throughout the year.

The scroll for 2013 has begun. Click here to see those honored so far this year.

Click here to see the names of those honored in 2012!

~~~

You can participate now! Click here for a form to complete and send to DEF to purchase an "apple" for us to hang on the DEF "Honor an Educator Tree" for you.

All are invited to recognize someone special in their life by participating in DEF’s “Honor an Educator” program now. Our “Honor an Educator” program was launched at the Salisbury Festival in 2012.

“I’m going to hang up an apple honoring my 11^th grade English teacher,” said DEF board member Kat Harting, “She made me feel respected, which gave me energy to work hard in her class, which led to many other blessings. That was almost 50 years ago and I’m still grateful!” Harting adds, “We hope this program will grow each year because there are so many deserving educators.”

Proceeds from the “Honor an Educator” program will further DEF's mission to improve college access and success for residents on the lower Delmarva Peninsula.

DEF helps people find money to continue their education.

For more information about DEF’s “Honor an Educator” program, call the DEF office at 410-219-3336.

Marian Colbert Memorial Scholarship, deadline May 31, 2013

Linda J — 2013-04-17T15:15:00.0000000-05:00

Click here for the application and more information.

Honor an Educator by playing in DEF golf tourney at Deer Run June 8

Rota Knott, DEF Executive Director — 2013-02-14T10:55:00.0000000-06:00

The Delmarva Education Foundation will hold its first Honor an Educator benefit golf tournament at Deer Run Golf Club in Berlin on Saturday, June 8. Proceeds from the golf tournament will benefit both DEF and the new Marian Colbert Memorial Scholarship fund.

DEF is a local non-profit that helps make the dream of obtaining a college degree a reality for students in Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset counties by assisting them with finding money to continue their education. Many of those served by DEF are low-income, first-generation college students who don’t have anyone in the family to help them work through the college application and financial aid process.

The Marian Colbert Memorial Scholarship is being established in memory of Deer Run owner Ed Colbert’s first wife, Marian, and will provide much-needed money for local students to go to college.

The registration fee is just $100 per player. The tournament features a Captain’s Choice Scramble format and kicks off with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Registration includes a continental breakfast, lunch, golf and cart, range balls, one mulligan per player, team prizes, hole-in-one prize. There will also be silent and live auctions, a putting contest, cash raffle and much more. To Register, Call Deer Run at 410-629-0060.

Golf tournament sponsors are also needed as are silent and live auction donations. As a golf tournament sponsor at the $1,000 level, sponsors will receive a free team entry for 4 players, a 1/2 page advertisement in the event program, a sponsorship mention in all tournament marketing and a large professional hole sign posted on the golf course during the event. Additional sponsorship levels are also available.

By becoming a sponsor of DEF’s Honor an Educator golf tournament, local businesses can help ensure that all residents of the lower Delmarva Peninsula have the opportunity to succeed in college. To become a tournament sponsor or to learn more about DEF, call Rota L. Knott, executive director, at 410-219-3336.

Thank you for making the DEF Scholarship Fair a success!

Rota Knott — 2013-01-30T15:59:00.0000000-06:00

The Delmarva Education Foundation would like to thank the sponsors, donors and volunteers who made our second annual Scholarship Fair on Saturday, Jan. 12 an overwhelming success. More than 500 students from 20 different high schools in 9 counties on the Delmarva Peninsula, along with military veterans, returning adults learners and vocational education students, attended the Scholarship Fair held at The Centre at Salisbury Mall to find money to continue their education.

Scholarship Fair sponsors were the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, The Bank of Delmarva, Pocomoke City Elks Lodge #1624, The Centre at Salisbury mall, Wor-Wic Community College Bookstore, Pepsi, Kitty’s Flowers, Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and TD Digital Printers, Inc.

Special thanks to Scholarship Fair partners Kids of Honor & Horizons at The Salisbury School, Scholarship Fair spokesman Kaitlyn Austin; financial aid experts Amanda Brumfield from Wor-Wic Community College, James Kellam from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Janet Reed from Delaware Technical and Community College; high school counselors Derrick Fooks, Worcester County; Janice Cottman, Somerset County; and Faye Stearns, Wicomico County; and all of our dedicated and hard-working volunteers.

The Delmarva Education Foundation is funded entirely through community support, donations and grants; all funding is returned directly to the community through DEF’s programs and services.

Sincerely,

Rota L. Knott

Executive Director

Season 4 of "Meet the Money Givers"

Linda J — 2013-01-30T15:52:00.0000000-06:00

Find out about local scholarship opportunities by watching "Meet the Money Givers" on WMDT 47 News each Wednesday and Saturday though April 2013.

Find free money for education at DEF’s Scholarship Fair

Rota L. Knott — 2013-01-04T15:12:00.0000000-06:00

Students who are looking for ways to cover the cost of furthering their education – whether it is in college, through vocational training or in the military -- can connect with local organizations and individuals offering free money at the Delmarva Education Foundation’s Scholarship Fair on Saturday, Jan. 12. The second annual Scholarship Fair is being held at The Centre at Salisbury mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Scholarship Fair spokesman Kaitlyn Austin said receiving scholarship money is very important for students. Austin is now a full time student at Radford University in Virginia in her second year of college but with Junior status already.

“For me, I did not find an institution in Maryland that would fit my needs and allow me to pursue the degrees I wanted. The first time I stepped onto the Radford University campus, I knew that's where I belonged. Unfortunately, out-of-state tuition was more than double than for an in-state student. A price tag of $32,000 per year made attending Radford seem an impossibility. A combination of scholarships, grants, and loans have made pursuing my dream a reality.”

Through its Scholarship Fair, DEF connects local students with local people who have money to give. More than 20 sponsors representing over 100 scholarships that are offered across the lower Delmarva Peninsula will be on hand to promote their scholarships and talk with students about the application process. Some of the scholarships are available to all local students, while others require students to meet specific criteria, such as living in a select geographic area, attending a certain college or entering a designated field of study, such as the arts.

Austin said students should attend the Scholarship Fair for several reasons. “First and foremost, the scholarships that are out there are endless; DEF will help you find all those that you qualify for.”

She said as an ‘average’ student in high school, she knew getting accepted into a good college was going to be a daunting process. She sometimes even questioned whether college was even an option. “DEF helped me see that there was so much more to me and my experiences than the grades on my report card. Colleges look at the whole person; while grades are very important, and a big part of being accepted, they will look at all your other experiences too.”

Austin said it’s the same with scholarships. “My point is this, don't be discouraged because you may not be at the top of your class or have a 4.0 gpa. You can still win scholarships, and you can still get into college. My second year of college, and I am on the Dean's list!”

“There are some pretty amazing scholarships out there that people don't even realize; some even have nothing to do with your grades! Do you have blue eyes? Do you like to rope cattle? I am not kidding, there are scholarships out there for the craziest things. DEF will help you find even the most obscure scholarships!”

Finally, and probably the most important, students can get to go to the college of their dreams regardless of their family’s ability to help pay, Austin said. “The money is out there. I am living proof. As an average student, with a family who couldn't help fund my college, I am pursuing my dream!”

During the Scholarship Fair students will also be able to learn about DEF’s free, online database of local-priority scholarships, talk with counselors from local high schools, ask questions about financial aid, and get help with the scholarship application process. Students do not need to prepare any applications or other documents in advance but are encouraged to bring a short resume to show scholarship sponsors. The Scholarship Fair is not just for graduating high school seniors, students of all ages who want to further their education are encouraged to attend.

Austin, said she first learned of DEF while attending high school and the organization was able to help her prepare for and find money to go to college. She is a double major in psychology, and criminal justice, with a double minor in French and religious studies. She also spent this past summer in France in a study abroad program.

“The staff at DEF goes above and beyond the call of duty to help you get those scholarships by helping you with the application process, and my mentor, Dianne Johnson, even reviewed my essays,” Austin said.

Scholarship sponsors already signed up for the event are: Pocomoke City Elks Club, Choptank Electric Cooperative, Salisbury Sunrise Rotary, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Delmarva Poultry Industry, Contractors 4 a Cause, Local Owners Restaurant Association, Atlantic General Hospital, the College Savings Plan of Maryland, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Cavallaro Cleary Visual Foundation, Philanthropic Educational Organization, U.S. Army, Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council, Wicomico County Humane Society, Maryland Higher Education Commission, Crisfield Elks Club, Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, Academy for Lifetime Learning, Friends of Blackwater, Arts Council of the Eastern Shore and Chesapeake College Adult Learning.

Funding for the event is provided in part by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, the Bank of Delmarva and the Pocomoke City Elks Lodge #1624. Two other local education-based nonprofit organizations, Kids of Honor and Horizons at Salisbury School, provide assistance and support for the Scholarship Fair.

Call DEF at 410-219-3336 or visit www.delmarvaed.org for more information.

Three new members join Delmarva Education Foundation board

Rota L. Knott — 2012-12-04T10:35:00.0000000-06:00

Katherine Harting, Gains Hawkins and Virgil Shockley have joined the board of directors for the Delmarva Education Foundation. The mission of the Delmarva Education Foundation is to promote college access and success for residents of the lower Delmarva Peninsula.

Harting, of Princess Anne, is the former executive director of the Delmarva Education Foundation, transitioning onto the board following her retirement after four years at the helm. Prior to joining DEF, she worked at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore as adjunct faculty in the Department of English and Modern languages for three years and as a media specialist in the Department of Agriculture for almost 20 years.

Hawkins, of Salisbury, recently retired from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where he served as vice president for institutional advancement since 2003. At UMES he served on the President’s Cabinet, the President’s Executive Committee and the Gala Committee. Prior to that, he was the assistant vice president of University Advancement at Salisbury University for five years and served as director of public relations at SU for 13 years.

Shockley, of Snow Hill, was elected as a Worcester County Commissioner in 1998 and is currently serving his fourth term. He has been in the farming and poultry business for 40 years and for 26 years has served as a Worcester County school bus contractor. He previously taught industrial arts and drafting at Wicomico Junior High School and is a member of the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.

DEF holds SCHOLARSHIP FAIR at Centre Jan. 12

Rota L. Knott — 2012-11-20T13:19:00.0000000-06:00

Students from across the lower Delmarva Peninsula are invited to connect with local organizations and individuals offering college financial aid at the Delmarva Education Foundation’s annual Scholarship Fair at The Centre at Salisbury mall on Saturday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. DEF helps local residents to find money to continue their education.

Click here to see the video from DEF's first Scholarship Fair in 2012.

Through its Scholarship Fair, DEF connects local students with local people who have money to give. Dozens of scholarship sponsors from across the lower Delmarva Peninsula will be on hand to meet with prospective applicants from Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset and Dorchester counties in Maryland, as well as Sussex County, Delaware and Accomack and North Hampton counties in Virginia. Students will be able to learn about DEF’s free, online database of local-priority scholarships, talk with counselors from local high schools, ask questions about financial aid, and get help with the scholarship application process.

This is also a great opportunity for local scholarship sponsors to increase awareness of both their scholarship offerings and of their organization. Any group or individual offering financial aid for students is invited to participate; the cost to reserve a fair table is $25.

The mission of the Delmarva Education Foundation is to promote college access and success for residents of the lower Delmarva Peninsula. For more than a decade, DEF’s trained college access advisors have provided assistance to individuals, families and groups on a wide range of topics relating to post-secondary education.

Funding for the event is provided in part by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore and the Pocomoke City Elks Lodge #1624. Two other local education-based non-profit organizations, Kids of Honor and Horizons at Salisbury School, will provide assistance and support for the Scholarship Fair.

Call DEF at 410-219-3336 or visit www.delmarvaed.org for more information.

High school counselors from six counties participate in DEF roundtable

Rota L. Knott — 2012-11-13T10:47:00.0000000-06:00

Counselors from across the lower Delmarva Peninsula gathered during the Delmarva Education Foundation’s second High School Counselors Roundtable to discuss ways to successfully help students achieve their dreams of attending college.

More than 30 high school counselors from Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset and Dorchester counties in Maryland, Sussex County, Delaware and Accomack County, Virginia gathered on Oct. 26 to talk about issues related to the college preparation and financial aid process and to share best practices. Dr. Lynn Wiljanen, dean of student development at Wor-Wic Community College, facilitated the roundtable discussion, which addressed topics like working with sponsors to promote their scholarships, using social media to increase awareness of financial aid, and how to make the scholarship application process easier for students.

The Delmarva Education Foundation holds the High School Counselors Roundtable so area professionals can share tools and techniques for enhancing the post-high school success of their students. Through events like this, DEF provides opportunities for education professionals from all three states to connect with each other, develop new ideas and find solutions to issues of concern.

The mission of the Delmarva Education Foundation is to promote college access and success for residents of the lower Delmarva Peninsula. The High School Counselors Roundtable was held at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore in Salisbury and supported by in-kind services from CFES and Choptank Electric Cooperative.

DEF welcomes Knott as executive director

DEF — 2012-07-31T14:20:00.0000000-05:00

July 27, 2012

Press contact: Rota Knott, 410-219-3336

Delmarva Education Foundation welcomes Knott as executive director

The board of directors of the Delmarva Education Foundation has selected Rota L. Knott to serve as its new executive director. Knott began work in her new capacity on Monday, July 23, replacing Katherine A. Harting, who has retired from the position. DEF is a nonprofit organization that helps residents of Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties find money to continue their education. Its mission is to improve college access and success for residents of the lower Delmarva Peninsula.

“We are excited about the experience and talent that Rota Knott brings to DEF and at the same time we will miss Kat Harting's strong leadership,” said Michael Pennington, board president, adding, “Fortunately, Ms. Harting has agreed to continue to support DEF as a volunteer, so we will be getting the best possible outcome that could be expected from this change.”

Knott has been a resident of the Lower Shore for more than two decades and now lives in Salisbury. A graduate of Salisbury State University with a degree in communications, she has extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations. Knott comes to DEF from Women Supporting Women, a breast cancer support and awareness organization; she previously worked for Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County as the ReStore manager. Knott's commitment to nonprofits over the years has included involvement as an employee, volunteer and board member. A long-time journalist, she has also worked for several local and regional publications.

“I look forward to furthering DEF’s mission by building on the strong foundation already in place and expanding our reach in the three lower counties,” Knott said. “As a recipient of scholarships and grants that covered the cost of my college education, I know firsthand how important such assistance can be to the college-bound."

For more than a decade, DEF’s trained college access advisors have provided assistance to individuals, families and groups on a wide range of topics relating to post-secondary education. DEF maintains two free, online, searchable databases to assist the community; one describes educational opportunities, while the other helps students find funding to pursue their field of choice. The DEF Scholarship Fair, planned for its second year this coming January, provides a clearinghouse of scholarship opportunities for local students. Through its College Access Program, DEF provides one-on-one and group advising at its office in Salisbury, via its website, over the phone, in schools and in the community. Through special events, such as the Scholarship Sponsors Forum and the Counselors Roundtable, DEF provides opportunities for stakeholders to explore best practices, make connections, develop new ideas and find solutions that support the organization’s mission.

DEF is funded through community support, donations and grants; all funding is returned directly to the local community through DEF’s programs and services. To learn more about DEF or to contact Knott, email rknott@delmarvaed.org, call 410-219-3336, visit the Salisbury office at 1320 Belmont Ave., Suite 403-B, Salisbury, MD 21804, or see www.delmarvaed.org.

###

Executive Director Search Information

Katherine Harting — 2012-04-18T15:50:00.0000000-05:00

Click here for the PDF

Delmarva Education Foundation

Position Description

Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DELMARVA EDUCATION FOUNDATION. HELP GROW TOMORROW’S LEADERS. SALISBURY MD-BASED NON-PROFIT SEEKS STRONG DIRECTOR TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT ITS MISSION. SALARY NEGOTIABLE. SEE POSITION DESCRIPTION AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AT WWW.DELMARVAED.ORG.

Job Summary

The Executive Director provides overall leadership for all areas of operation of the Delmarva Education Foundation (DEF), in accordance with the direction, policies, procedures, and objectives set by the Board of Directors, positioning the organization for continued substantial growth and impact. The Executive Director supports and promotes DEF’s mission in the community. The position is full time with occasional evening and weekend work obligations.

Background

The Delmarva Education Foundation is a private, independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1999. Its current annual budget of roughly $120,000 is derived from donations, grants, fees for service, and income from an endowment at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) and an investment account. Staff consists of the executive director, an office manager/college access advisor, and a part-time college access advisor; their work is supplemented with assistance from volunteers and short-term contracts for project management, graphic design, grant writing, IT services, etc. The foundation is housed within the Non-Profit Office Center operated by CFES.

DEF’s mission is to improve college access and success for residents of the lower Delmarva Peninsula. DEF helps people find money to continue their education. It maintains two free, online, searchable databases of information about post-secondary education: the Financial Aid Clearinghouse and the Shirley B. Harting Regional Education Information Center. Through its College Access Program, DEF provides one-on-one and group advising at its offices, through its website, over the phone, in schools, and in the community. Through special events, it convenes stakeholders to provide opportunities to explore best practices, make connections, develop new ideas, and find solutions that support the organization’s mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives.

Program development and administration. The Executive Director will:

1. Assure that the organization has a long-range strategy to achieve its mission and makes consistent and timely progress towards it.

2. Provide leadership in developing programmatic, organizational, and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff, and carry out plans and policies authorized by the board.

3. Promote active and broad participation by volunteers in all areas of the organization's work.

4. Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.

5. Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field.

Communications. The Executive Director will:

1. See that the board is kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it.

2. Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs and goals.

3. Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and organizations.

4. Proactively represent the programs and point of view of the organization to agencies, organizations, and the general public.

Relations with staff. The Executive Director will:

1. Be responsible for the recruitment, employment, and release of all personnel, both paid staff and volunteers.

2. Ensure that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place.

3. See that an effective team, with appropriate provision for advancement and succession, is in place.

4. Encourage staff and volunteer development and education, and assist program staff in relating their specialized work to the total program of the organization.

5. Maintain a climate which attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of top quality people.

Budget and finance. The Executive Director will:

1. Be responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices.

2. Work with the staff and the board in preparing a budget; see that the organization operates within budget guidelines.

3. Jointly, with the president and secretary of the board of directors, conduct official correspondence of the organization, and jointly, with designated officers, execute legal documents.

Necessary qualifications:

1. Strong interpersonal and communication skills

2. At least two years’ organizational leadership experience

3. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

4. At least two years’ experience, either volunteer or professional, with nonprofit fundraising

5. Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software

6. Own transportation and a valid driver’s license

7. Able to pass a background check

8. Able to lift/move 25 pounds, stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, and see.

Desired qualifications:

1. Fundraising experience including annual giving, foundation support, corporate and legacy giving, grant writing, and technology-based donation programs

2. Familiarity with the management of a college access program

3. A high level of initiative and creativity and an ability to produce results

4. Experience with creating and implementing a strategic plan

5. A history of recognizing and adapting to new trends to reach and serve the organization’s intended audience

6. Management oversight of a roughly comparable-sized budget and staff

7. Experience working with a board of directors

Benefits

· Salary negotiable

· Four weeks paid vacation plus time off for sickness and holidays

· Reasonably flexible work schedule

· Professional development and travel reimbursement

· Smoke-free workplace

Application instructions

Send cover letter, resume and four references. To mesh best with our operation, submit digitally in .doc or .pdf format to

DEFexec@gmail.com

DEF Search Committee

1320 Belmont Ave, Suite 403-B

Salisbury, MD 21804

Applications received before May 21, 2012 will receive first consideration. No phone calls, please.

DEF's "Honor An Educator" program

Linda Jagusiak — 2012-04-11T16:52:00.0000000-05:00

DEF's “Honor an Educator” program

Pay tribute to someone who taught you well by hanging an “apple” with your honoree’s name on it on the DEF "Honor an Educator Tree.” The person recognized could be a teacher, mentor, relative, friend, coach, advisor, scoutmaster, counselor, or other individual who was especially inspirational, motivating, or supportive. The charge is only $1 per “apple” and DEF will publicize the honorees throughout 2012.

Click here to see the names of those honored thus far!

~~~

You can participate now! Click here for a form to complete and send to DEF to purchase an "apple" for us to hang on the DEF "Honor an Educator Tree" for you.

The DEF “Honor an Educator” program was successfully launched at the Salisbury Festival in 2012. All are invited to recognize someone special in their life by participating in DEF’s new “Honor an Educator” program now.

Proceeds from the “Honor an Educator” program will further DEF's mission to improve college access and success for residents on the lower Delmarva Peninsula.

DEF helps people find money to continue their education.

For more information about DEF’s “Honor an Educator” program, call the DEF office at 410-219-3336.

DEF Scholarship Fair participants [AND DONORS] thanked!

Katherine Harting — 2012-03-09T16:06:00.0000000-06:00

From the "Daily Times" of Salisbury
Article Title:
Your View: Scholarship fair participants [AND DONORS] thanked!

To view the contents on www.delmarvanow.com, go to:
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201202220432/OPINION01/202220403

This is prime college scholarship search season, and I'd be remiss not to mention that March 1 is the deadline for completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to be eligible to receive financial aid from the state of Maryland. Many other scholarship sponsors ask to see
it, too. If someone needs help with the FAFSA, see a high school counselor, a college financial aid counselor or ask us at the Delmarva Education Foundation. DEF helps people find money to continue their education.

My other reason for writing is to thank all the people who helped make the DEF Scholarship Fair at The Centre at Salisbury mall in January such a success. What a great demonstration of community commitment to helping students. Special thanks go to the scholarship sponsors,
event sponsors, volunteers, counselors and those who visited the informational tables. We printed 500 programs and ran out well before the event was over. Scholarship sponsors and table hosts used words such as "best thing we've ever done," "never stopped talking," "will bring more materials next time" and "students from all over the peninsula." Credit is due the high schools and the local media for their indispensable promotional help and to The Centre for
providing such a great place to meet. We are already planning the second annual DEF Scholarship Fair, tentatively scheduled for Jan. 12, 2013.

DEF is a privately funded nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve college access and success for residents of the lower Delmarva Peninsula. I hope you will join me in thanking DEF's donors, whose support made the DEF Scholarship Fair possible. These individuals and
organizations are leaders in recognizing the positive impact increased educational
attainment can have on individuals, their families and our community. DEF's donors are both generous and far-sighted. How fortunate for us all.

To learn more, to help or to get help, contact DEF at www.delmarvaed.org or call
410-219-3336.

Kat Harting

Executive Director, Delmarva Education Foundation

DEF Scholarship Fair!

Linda Jagusiak — 2011-12-08T10:56:00.0000000-06:00

1st ever in the region! Come to the Centre at Salisbury mall 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2012 to learn about the many scholarships available for local students in addition to information on the FAFSA, financial aid, and other education resources.

DEF’s “Scholarship Sponsors Forum”

Katherine Harting — 2011-09-29T09:56:00.0000000-05:00

DEF’s “Scholarship Sponsors Forum” Explores Ways to Help Students on Delmarva

Scholarship representatives from 23 local organizations and businesses attended a “Scholarship Sponsors Forum” hosted by the Delmarva Education Foundation (DEF) to find ways to award more scholarship money to more people on the lower Delmarva Peninsula. Additional support for the August 24 event was provided by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) and Choptank Electric Trust, Inc.

The Forum’s goal was to provide an opportunity for representatives of established local scholarship programs to meet and share best practices about how to run their programs efficiently and effectively and to learn about DEF and Community Foundation resources available to help them. During the roundtable discussion of ways to increase the number of scholarship applicants, Anne Whaples from Choptank Electric Trust (which awards several scholarships annually) proposed DEF host a “scholarship fair,” similar to job fairs and college fairs. Prompted by the enthusiasm of many of the participants, DEF’s executive director Kat Harting agreed to explore the feasibility of such a scholarship fair. Follow-up evaluations of the forum were uniformly positive, with many participants noting they hoped for a second such meeting to allow more time for discussion.

In addition to the roundtable discussion, moderated by Norman Tilghman, retired director of the Upward Bound Program at University of Maryland Eastern Shore, participants were given a demonstration of DEF’s financial aid database, which is a free, online, searchable database of locally-targeted scholarships. It helps publicize the scholarships represented at the forum as well as many others and lists over a million dollars in local scholarship funding available to local students every year. Dr. Spicer Bell and B.J. Summers of the Community Foundation spoke about the value of endowed scholarship funds as a source of stable and predictable funding for area students that involves minimal administrative work by the fund donor. The number of endowed scholarships administered by CFES has been growing steadily.

Norman Tilghman (center) moderated the forum for scholarship sponsors hosted by the Delmarva Education Foundation.

DEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that helps people find money to continue their education. DEF’s mission is to improve college access and success for residents on the lower Delmarva Peninsula. Assistance on a wide range of topics relating to post-secondary education is available for individuals, families, and groups from DEF’s trained college access advisors. DEF’s website is at www.delmarvaed.org. To contact the Delmarva Education Foundation, call 410-219-3336 or email def@delmarvaed.org.

DEF opens new branch office in Pocomoke City, MD.

Linda Jagusiak — 2011-06-03T12:56:00.0000000-05:00

Grand Opening Celebration!

Join us to celebrate the opening of DEF’s new branch office in Pocomoke City, MD on Thursday, June 30th, 1:00-3:00 p.m., 1731 Broad Street, in the industrial park, within M.I.S.T. (Mid-Atlantic Institute for Space & Technology), Pocomoke City, MD.

Ribbon cutting at 1:30 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

DEF co-sponsors Robotics Technology Exposition and Challenge: Robo-Tec '11

Linda Jagusiak — 2011-04-26T11:11:00.0000000-05:00

Robo-Tec '11, the first annual Robotics Technology Exposition and Challenge will be held in Pocomoke City on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at Midway GM/Toyota, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. This event, sponsored by Midway, Eastern Shore Robotics (ESR), the Mid-Atlantic Institute for Space & Technology (MIST), and the Delmarva Education Foundation (DEF) promises to be the premiere youth technology event in the Delmarva region.

Robo-Tec '11 will feature the robots built and used in this year’s FIRST Robotics Competition with our three teams from the Eastern Shore represented.The Worcester/Accomack, Northampton and Salisbury teams will demonstrate their robots, and team members will be available to discuss the build process for their robots along with highlights from their competition experience.

Please join us in supporting and honoring the Eastern Shore Robotics teams. Information will be available at the event on how students and/or schools can become involved in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) based programs that DEF, ESR, and MIST support.

More information, including dates for program and booth space, is on the attached flyer. (Click here for the Robo-Tec'11 flyer) Please circulate the flyer widely and consider joining us; DEF will be looking for volunteers to help us that day.

I'm excited about this event, which promises to be creative, helpful, and fun. See you there, I hope!

Katherine A. Harting
Executive Director
Delmarva Education Foundation (DEF)

Apply for Scholarships!

Kat Harting — 2011-03-25T12:33:00.0000000-05:00

Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships

Mar 23, 2011|

With well over $1 million in local, private funds available every year to help students on lower Delmarva pay for college, what's the No. 1 reason all those monies don't get awarded?

Students aren't applying.

There are several reasons students don't apply, in spite of the generosity of our
community and the eagerness of students to find financial aid:

Students don't apply because they don't know about the scholarships.

They don't like to write essays.

They don't fit the qualifications, which are sometimes so narrow, only a very few people
will qualify.

The dollar value gained does not seem enough to justify the time and effort of
submitting an application, if being selected is not a certainty.

The Delmarva Education Foundation helps people find money to continue
their education. DEF maintains a free, searchable database of local
scholarships at our website, www.delmarvaed.org. DEF staff works with
scholarship providers to help them publicize their scholarships and
increase their applicant pools. DEF advisers work with students to help
them find scholarships for which they fit the qualifications.Deadlines for
financial aid for fall admission are rapidly approaching; many have already passed.

Some local providers report their frustration: They have few
applicants -- or none.If you are a student, check out DEF's website to
find local dollars you qualify for. They can add up to real money, especially
where you fit a narrow qualification -- Are you left handed? The child of a
firefighter? Our database and advisers will help you find those good bets.
The time to apply is now.

Katherine Harting, Princess Anne

Harting is executive director of Delmarva Education Foundation. -- Editor

Paying for College: What's Available?

Linda Jagusiak — 2011-02-25T15:00:00.0000000-06:00

Click the link below to see the Lisa Bryant interviews at DEF that aired on WBOC-TV news February 8, 2011.

Paying for College: What's Available for Local Students