On Wednesday, October 15, BMCC’s Out in Two Scholarship Award winners were honored for their academic commitment and dedication. The afternoon induction ceremony was held in The Hudson Room, where fifteen new Out in Two scholars received certificates and were treated to a luncheon.
Out in Two is an academic program that helps students graduate from BMCC within two consecutive years, and summer classes can be included in the duration. To be eligible for Out in Two, students must submit a personal essay, be currently enrolled in an AA, AS or AAS degree program as a freshman, and complete 12 credits with a 3.0 minimum GPA.
Friends and family members were in attendance at the ceremony, as well as BMCC staffers and faculty, to show their support for the Fall 2008 Out in Two inductees.
“We are very proud of you today,” said Allana Hankey-Thomas, Out in Two coordinator.
Out in Two scholars receive $1,400 a semester for their last three consecutive semesters of work and may be eligible for an extra $550 summer grant. Out in Two students must take a minimum of 12 credits per semester and maintain the minimum 3.0 GPA.
Out in Two students must also participate in volunteer activities during their time at BMCC. Out in Two students sign contracts that adhere to these academic and social requirements in order to receive the scholarship.
To reward their academic commitment, Out in Two scholars receive financial aid support and advisement, go on trips with other club members to Broadway shows and operas, and have the opportunity to register early for classes.
Out in Two “Sets Forth Goals”
BMCC President Antonio Pérez also spoke at the induction ceremony. “The goal of Out in Two is to give you that boost to set forth goals you set for yourself,” he told the students. “Make sure you have a plan, and have a dream.”
President Pérez reminded the scholarship recipients that the goal of Out in Two is to “try to expedite the graduation process as soon as possible, so you can move on to a senior college.”
Dr. Sadie Bragg, Senior Vice President of BMCC, told the scholars that Out in Two—which began in 1999—was designed specifically for those who could graduate from a two year college in two years. “You did the work, and you earned the right to be here,” said Bragg to the students.
BMCC Dean Marva Craig told the scholars that Out in two allowed them to “do the extraordinary”—graduate in two years. “And we’ll give you the support,” she said.
Christina Matesanz, originally from Spain, is the current student president of Out in Two. “This scholarship isn’t only about financial help,” she said. “We also receive guidance, and meet others at the same competitive level.”
Matesanz, who will soon graduate from BMCC with a business degree, is applying to Columbia University, as well as other schools, to pursue Environmental Science. “I never in a million years thought I’d ever apply to Columbia. The mentoring and support of Hankey-Thomas and Out in Two really helped me and that support is what made me want to apply.”
Matesanz also says that Out in Two students hear about scholarships and programs at other colleges and universities that they may not have known about if it wasn’t for Hankey-Thomas.
Students Committed to Scholarship
Chama Monlouis, a business administration major originally from St. Lucia, is a new Out in Two scholar who was honored at the ceremony. “I’m excited to be here,” she said. “It’s good to have a network of people who really want to help you graduate.”
“With Out in Two, I feel like I have a voice here,” says Claire Mennis, a current Out in Two scholar majoring in accounting. “And it’s a big help to be able to register early for classes.”
Hankey-Thomas, who happens to be a BMCC alumna, said she has learned so much from the Out in Two scholars she mentors. “These students are such an inspiration and believe in their success. It’s not easy to have family issues, a job, classes and maintain a high GPA. They have the commitment.”
New Inductees:
The Fall 2008 Out in Two scholarship recipients are: Leslie-Ann Reid Bacchus, Nechama Coleman, Nicholas Collins, Keril Duncan, John Fernandes, Crystal Gilmour, Yasmine Jacovi, Ting Ting Lin, Chama Monlouis, Paula Patino, Anna Petrovska, Sherry Samaroo, Zbynek Smakal, Colin Woodward, Sekou Younge.
