The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation has granted $90,000 to fund scholarships for students who have completed their first year in the Lunalilo Scholars Program at Kapiʻolani Community College. Their goal is to encourage students to participate in the peer mentor component of the program and nurture the cycle of learning and giving back.
“The grant to the Lunalilo Scholars Program fulfills the mission of the foundation to provide scholarship aid and assistance to those who would not otherwise have the opportunity for a quality education,” said Cathy Ching, granddaughter of Clarence T.C. Ching and trustee of The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation. “The foundation is proud be a part of the innovative Lunalilo Scholars Program that recognizes the benefits of mentoring for both returning students as mentors and for the first year student mentees.”
Related
- “Encourage Lunalilo Scholars,” UH Foundation
- “$1 million challenge grant for Lunalilo scholarships,” May 29, 2015
- “Lunalilo Scholars Program tackles college barriers,” September 21, 2012
About the Lunalilo Scholars Program
Lunalilo Scholars Program participants
Launched in 2012, the Lunalilo Scholars Program provides financially at-risk students with one-year of tuition combined with an intensive support system, mentoring, and tutoring to help them overcome personal and academic challenges in their first year of college.
“The peer mentoring component of the Lunalilo Scholars Program benefits the new scholars by giving them access to role models that are invested in the program and want to see them succeed. It is also beneficial for those doing the mentoring,” said Director of the Lunalilo Scholars Program LaVache Scanlan.
Kapiʻolani Community College Chancellor Leon Richards added, “Many of our Lunalilo Scholars have done extremely well in their first year, frequently against the odds. This scholarship represents essential financial support and emotional encouragement. It tells them that important organizations like The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation believe in them and want to see them fulfill their dreams.”
Getting involved
This gift was spurred by the Kaneta Foundation’s $1 million matching gift challenge in support of the Lunalilo Scholars program. To date $123,450 has been raised to meet the matching challenge.
“Donors like the Kanetas and The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation play a key role in eliminating the educational inequality that exists across our state by bringing programs and support services to our most vulnerable students who want to create a better life for themselves and their families,” said University of Hawaiʻi Foundation President and CEO Donna Vuchinich
Learn more about how you can support the Lunalilo Scholars Program by contacting Senior Director of Development Linh Hoang Poe at (808) 734-9570, email or visit the donation website.
For more, read the UH Foundation story.
