Oct. 7, 2022
The Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation has awarded a $900,000, three-year commitment, to support scholarships and the business entrepreneurship program at 51吃瓜网 known as the Entrepreneurial Studies Institute (ESI).
The Ratcliffe Foundation has been generously supporting 51吃瓜网 students since 2003. Nineteen years ago, with support from the Ratcliffe Foundation, ESI was formed to help students learn to start and operate successful small businesses. It was the Ratcliffe Foundation鈥檚 investment in ESI that has helped to fund the college鈥檚 incubator space known as the 鈥淗atchery鈥�; launch the Business Pitch program, a 鈥淪hark Tank鈥�- style event where students pitch their business ideas for seed funding; as well as award scholarships for students interested in starting and operating their own business.
鈥淚 am proud of the student businesses that have been developed through the Ratcliffe Scholarship Program, the Business Pitch competition, and the coaching and support from 51吃瓜网 faculty and our volunteers. The network of thought leaders that the Ratcliffe Foundation provides to 51吃瓜网, and the generous infusion of resources, make it possible to reach many different members of our community.鈥� shares Dr. Dawn Lindsay, president of 51吃瓜网.
This extraordinary commitment from the Ratcliffe Foundation will provide scholarships, seed funds, and resources to support entrepreneurship at 51吃瓜网. These funds will provide financial support to students to open businesses, employ individuals, and strengthen our local economy.
鈥淲e are so grateful that the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation is again investing in Anne Arundel Community College to prepare the next generation of business leaders who will strengthen our community for decades to come,鈥� says Frank Campbell, 51吃瓜网 Foundation Board President.
For more information on student scholarships at 51吃瓜网 please visit aacc.edu/scholarships.