The Bobcat Summer Leadership Program at East Georgia State College (EGSC) concluded with a ceremony and luncheon honoring the eleven program participants. During the ceremony, two participants, Dani Roberson And Jarissa Robinsonwere awarded a $1,000 Denny Key Memorial Scholarship for their outstanding leadership skills.

The Mill Creek Foundation generously donated the scholarships in memory of longtime Mill Creek Foundation Chairman Denny Key, who passed away last year.

EGSC hosted the 4-week residential program on the Swainsboro campus for freshmen who plan to come to EGSC directly after high school. The program was designed to give students the opportunity to build a solid academic foundation to ease the transition from high school to college. In addition to taking courses that will count toward their degree, students were able to connect with support services and participate in a variety of leadership development activities.

During the program, students completed six to eight credit hours of classes, attended workshops to support the transition to college, participated in leadership development activities and field trips, utilized campus resources, met key faculty and staff, and experienced dorm life at Bobcat Villas.

Families and friends of the students, faculty, staff and community members were invited to a luncheon to celebrate the completion of the program. The event began with the students’ projects being exhibited for guests to view. The projects were about leadership and what the students learned from the program. Guests were able to visit each student’s project exhibit and ask questions about their experience.

After the project presentations, guests met with the students for lunch. Students were presented with a certificate for completing the program, and some students spoke to the group about leadership and their experiences.

Wade JohnsonChairman of the Mill Creek Foundation, spoke to the group about the Mill Creek Foundation and how they wanted to remember a great leader in the community. Denny Key was the long-time chairman of the Mill Creek Foundation and past chairman of the EGSC Foundation. He loved the community and especially EGSC. The Mill Creek Foundation decided to create leadership scholarships to honor Key for his commitment to the college and the community.

Dani Roberson, the first recipient of the Denny Key Memorial Scholarship, is a graduate of Frederick Douglass High School. She is from Milledgeville, Georgia, and has chosen to join the Lady Bobcats basketball team.

Jarissa Robinson, the second award winner, attended West Laurens High School. She will also play for the Lady Bobcats basketball team next season.

Both recipients were chosen because they demonstrated leadership in the program. They were punctual, helpful, respectful and always willing to go the extra mile.

For more information about the Bobcat Summer Leadership Program, visit ega.edu/admissions/leadership.html.