Bovenkerk endowment awards $1 million to CCPS students

Students enrolled in Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) are already seeing the benefits of a new scholarship endowment totaling more than $25 million. The Harold P. Bovenkerk Scholarship for Engineering and Natural Sciences will be awarded to CCPS students based on the endowment’s annual interest, approximately $1 million in this initial year. The late Harold P. Bovenkerk, known as Hal to his friends, changed the world through innovation. A 46-year employee of General Electric, Mr. Bovenkerk retired in Naples after playing a key role in developing the synthetic diamond. The desire to continue advancements through future generations led Mr. Bovenkerk to leave a legacy gift, an endowment, to CCPS families.

During late April, District staff made surprise visits to schools and awarded 60 scholarships – including seven full rides – two of which are going to students attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) Eight seniors received $20,000 scholarships and 45 seniors received $7,000 scholarships, all eligible for renewal.

Each year graduating seniors from Collier County high schools who have demonstrated excellence in advanced math, science or engineering and plan to pursue a 4-year college degree in one of these fields may apply. Preference will be given to students accepted at the University of Michigan, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, California Institute of Technology or Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Scholarships may be awarded up to a 4-year full ride amount which can include tuition, room, board and required academic fees and textbooks or materials. One-time scholarships may also be given and may be renewable for up to 4 years of education based on academic performance (maintaining good standing and 3.0 cumulative GPA).

Recipient students represent all CCPS high schools: Barron Collier High, Gulf Coast High, Golden Gate High, Immokalee High, Lely High, Palmetto Ridge High, Lorenzo Walker Technical High, and Naples High. The goal is to provide approximately $1.4 million in scholarships annually to CCPS graduating seniors that have demonstrated excellence in advanced math, science, or engineering and plan to pursue a four-year college degree in one of these fields.

This story was originally featured on Naples Florida Weekly.

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