Florida Mom Rediscovers Joy of Learning; To Complete Degree in May 2009
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Sept. 2, 2008 Jean Bolger of Lehigh, Florida is the first recipient of a ‘Women On Par™’ scholarship awarded by the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) Foundation. Launched earlier this year, the program was established to provide financial assistance to nontraditional female students – women at least 30 years old – who need assistance in bolstering their education to allow them to get ‘on par’ with their peers and to advance themselves, whether professionally or personally.
Bolger’s mother, Peggy Bowles of Manhasset, NY, a retired teacher and member of the EWGA Long Island, NY chapter, encouraged her daughter to apply for the $1000 scholarship. Bolger is in her final year at Edison College in Fort Myers, Fla., and will receive her bachelor’s degree in public safety management in May 2009.
“When I first went to college following high school, I ‘goofed off’ and had horrible grades. Years later I realized that I was one of the few people in my family who had never gotten a degree,” says Bolger, 46 years old and the mother of an eight- year-old daughter. “I started taking classes at Edison and hoped to get my degree by the time Maggie graduated from eighth grade. I’m a little ahead of schedule so maybe I’ll work on a graduate degree next.”
Married to a sheriff’s deputy, Bolger juggles a full class load, a part time job tutoring math at the college and her family responsibilities. Often she and her daughter both do their homework together.
“Jean is such a worthy recipient of the first ‘Women On Par™’ scholarship,” says Sandra Cross, president of the EWGA Foundation. “Nontraditional students face many barriers. They deserve our recognition and support to get ‘on par’ and pursue their educational aspirations.”
“I would encourage anyone thinking about returning to school to ‘just do it’. I’ve gotten a neighbor to enroll and she will be the first person in her family to earn a degree,” says Bolger. “Hopefully, my example will encourage others and especially my daughter to not wait twenty years to get a college education. Thank you EWGA for helping me to achieve my goals.”
The Application period for 2009’Women On Par™’ scholarships will open on April 1, 2009. EWGA membership is not a requirement to apply or receive a scholarship. Applicants are required to be pursuing a technical/vocational degree, associates or bachelor’s degree and currently enrolled or accepted to enroll in an accredited school, college or university. For complete eligibility requirements and application forms, see the EWGA Foundation tab under ‘Learn More About EWGA’ at www.ewga.com .
The EWGA Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization, a separate legal entity formed and supported by the Executive Women’s Golf Association. Its mission is to develop premier golf education and leadership development programs for women. Other initiatives include the development of a golf education curriculum, Drive for Dreams outreach program to ‘give the gift of golf’ and the annual “EWGA at the U.S. Women’s Open” charity event to benefit LPGA-USGA Girls Golf. Over the past five years, EWGA chapters and the EWGA Foundation have donated over $350,000 to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf.
Since its founding in 1991, the EWGA has touched the lives of more than 100,000 women by providing opportunities to learn, play, and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life. This not-for-profit association delivers a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for new and experienced golfers to nearly 20,000 members at over 125 local chapters throughout the United States and international chapters in Canada and France.
The EWGA is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information about the association and its membership, visit www.ewga.com
Contact:
Angie Niehoff
Niehoff Marketing Associates
561-868-0297
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