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Martinsville, Virginia 24115
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Jones offers scholarship
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
By BULLETIN STAFF REPORTS -
Martinsville orthodontist Dr. David Jones has announced that he will provide as much as $1,000 in financial aid to one or more New College Institute (NCI) students in the 2010-11 academic year.
Jones is providing the aid in recognition of Robert H. Spilman Jr.'s "tireless work in promoting" the institute, said NCI Associate Director Leanna Blevins.
Spilman has been chairman of NCI's board since its inception in 2006, and previously he was chairman of the New College Planning Commission.
NCI opened in 2006 in uptown Martinsville. The state-supported institute provides local access to higher-level courses needed to earn bachelor's and master's degrees conferred by various universities in Virginia. State officials are to decide in 2012 whether NCI should evolve into a university itself.
The NCI board and New College Foundation are grateful to Jones for his generosity, said NCI Executive Director Barry Dorsey.
"Both Dr. Jones and Mr. Spilman are icons in this community, which has provided strong support for NCI since its establishment in 2006," Dorsey said.
"I hope many others will follow Dr. Jones' lead in assisting students," he added.
To be eligible for Jones' aid, a student must be enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, a degree program to be offered at NCI during the 2010-11 year. Jones will review all inquiries and decide on a recipient before the start of fall semester classes, Blevins said.
To apply, students may call Jones at 638-8888, write to him at 25 Cleveland Ave., Martinsville, Va. 24112 or e-mail him at davidj8@comcast.net.
Students should include the following information with their applications:
"¢ Their names, mailing addresses, e-mail addresses and phone numbers.
"¢ Why they are interested in enrolling at NCI.
"¢ Why receiving Jones' financial aid would be helpful to them.
Priority will be given to inquiries that are made by Aug. 6, Blevins said.
In addition to Jones' assistance, the New College Foundation offers scholarships honoring the late local civic leaders Ben Gardner and Antoinette Haskell. For more information about those scholarships, call NCI at 403-5600.
