SHSU offers unique business scholarship to LSC-Montgomery students

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – In the business world, money is the bottom line, and several recent Lone Star College-Montgomery graduates know this first hand.

This year, nine former LSC-Montgomery students pursuing their bachelor’s degree through the College of Business Administration at Sam Houston State University were awarded the university’s Smith-Huston Scholarship, which is a full ride scholarship provided each spring to deserving incoming SHSU freshman who otherwise may not have a chance to earn a bachelor’s degree.

The Smith-Hutson Scholarship is one of many unique partnerships between LSC-Montgomery and SHSU. Secured years ago with the help of James Zipperer, professor of economics at LSC-Montgomery, and Dr. Jim Bexley, the endowed chair of banking at SHSU, the scholarship has allowed over 40 LSC-Montgomery graduates to attend SHSU and pursue their career ambitions.

"This scholarship is representative of the close partnership we have with Sam Houston State University," said Dr. Rebecca Riley, president of LSC-Montgomery. "More of our students transfer to Sam Houston than any other university, and this provides a seamless pathway for our students to pursue careers in the growing banking/finance sector."

“This is a need-based scholarship,” said Zipperer. “This scholarship was put in place by its donors to assure that students like those at LSC-Montgomery have thechance to attain their educational goal at a leading university. It’s a great opportunity and more students need to take advantage of it.”

Laura Ruple, a part-time flight attendant and recent LSC-Montgomery graduate seeking her human resources management degree, appreciates the financial relief this scholarship provides to her growing family of seven.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” Ruple said. “I have been an inspiration to my twin 15-year-old daughters, whose grades have improved and are wanting to do theearly college program. So, I can’t quit. I have to keep going and show them I can do it. My goal is to graduate in 2017, before they graduate in 2018.”

Ruple, unsure she would even qualify because of her low GPA in the past, decided to proceed with the application process regardless of that hurdle. After scrutiny during the interview process over the drop in her grades, Ruple was able toredeem herself with explanations of her past hardships and was tentatively awarded the scholarship, contingent upon her final semester grades.

“The worst you can do is try,” Ruple said. “You never know who is going to see your potential and be forgiving of your past if you aren’t a perfect student.”

Accounting student Molly Payne had every intention of receiving her associate’s degree and going straight into the workforce. Realizing how much more money she could make if she just spent two more years in school, she is on her way to SHSU with only her junior and senior year left to complete.

“Iam very, very grateful for this opportunity,” Payne said. “The anonymous donor of this scholarship is a living person who is doling out millions of dollars for people to get an education, and I think that is phenomenal!”

With the guidance of Zipperer, LSC-Montgomery counselor Matthew Samford, and several others, the application process for Payne was simplified and she can’t thank everyone enough for their involvement in her success.

“I have already sent them thank you cards,” Payne said. “And if ‘anonymous’ reads this, I personally thank you as well!”

For more information about the Smith-Hutson Scholarship available through LSC-Montgomery, contact James Zipperer at (936) 271-7348, or email james.f.zipperer@lonestar.edu.

LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call (936) 273-7000, or click here.