CMS student receives Debbie Antshel Memorial CPCC Scholarship

 Caroline Riddle, a graduating senior at Myers Park High School, was named the 2009 recipient of the second annual Debbie Antshel Memorial CPCC Scholarship during a special presentation on Tuesday, May 19 at 2 p.m., on CPCC’s Central Campus.

The scholarship honors the memory of Debbie Antshel, a long-time community advocate and supporter of education, who spearheaded a leadership program at CPCC that empowered high school students to earn their GED, find employment and become community leaders. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools Foundation, together with Ms. Antshel’s husband, Henry, and son, Quinn, presented Caroline with a check for $1,400 to help fund her college education. In attendance at the event were Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Superintendent Dr. Peter C. Gorman, and CPCC President Tony Zeiss, Ph.D.

“We are honored to name Caroline the recipient of this year’s Debbie Antshel Memorial CPCC Scholarship and look forward to all she will accomplish as a CPCC student this fall, as she begins classes in our education program,” said Dr. Zeiss. “Thanks to the generosity of her family, Debbie’s legacy will benefit generations of CPCC students and help countless young adults further their education by earning a college degree.”

In addition to her leadership work at CPCC, Ms. Antshel served as director of neighborhood services for the City of Charlotte. There, she created the CAN (Computer Access to Neighborhoods) Program to help increase Internet accessibility to underserved communities. She also served as the director of volunteers and partnerships for CMS and the executive director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools Foundation, where she worked to establish corporate and community partnerships that would help improve local companies and schools.

“Debbie’s impact on the local community can still be felt today,” said Dr. Gorman. “She was a consummate advocate for today’s children and youth, a dedicated leader who was committed to providing educational opportunities to every student. Her scholarship helps young adults find success, in the classroom, in work and in life.”

This year’s scholarship winner places an emphasis on community service and is passionate about finding help for the nation’s homeless. Caroline participates in her church’s Room In the Inn program, providing meals and shelter to local men and women, and has visited the Gulf Coast each year since Hurricane Katrina’s arrival in 2005, rebuilding homes and churches throughout Mississippi. Caroline’s compassion also extends to Third World countries. She has participated in World Visions’ 30-Hour Famine for the last six years, raising awareness of children in Third World countries who are hungry and dying.

Caroline plans to attend CPCC in the fall. After college graduation, she plans to become a youth advisor, teaching tomorrow’s generation about the importance of community service and outreach.

Central Piedmont Community College is the largest community college in North Carolina, offering close to 300 degree and certification programs, customized corporate training, market-focused continuing education, and special interest classes. CPCC is academically, financially and geographically accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County. In 2002, the National Alliance of Business named CPCC the Community College of the Year for its response to the workforce and technology needs of local employers and job seekers through innovative educational and training strategies.

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This release prepared by Mallory Benz, 704.330.6613. An archive of CPCC news releases is at http://www.cpcc.edu/college-news.