Members of Austin Beta Sigma Phi, Xi Kappa chapter created an endowment fund for Riverland Community College student scholarships.

“It is with great pleasure that we make this donation,” Janice Mino, president of the local chapter, said in a press release. “It has been our desire for a number of years to set up a permanent and self-sustaining source of funding for scholarships to support deserving students attending Riverland. We feel it is important to give back to people within the community who are trying to move ahead in their chosen careers.”

The Beta Sigma Phi, Xi Kappa chapter has sponsored an annual $500 scholarship to support local non-traditional women attending Riverland since 2011. Their goal was to raise enough funds to endow the scholarship. Endowments start at $10,000 and are gifts invested by the Foundation. Only the interest income funds scholarships so the funds help Riverland students in perpetuity and provide a legacy for the Beta Sigma Phi organization.

Earlier this year, Beta Sigma Phi had raised $8,500 toward their goal, $1,500 shy of the endowment. Dr. C. Jerry Nelson, an alum of Riverland and a frequent Riverland foundation benefactor, heard about the work this group of women were doing chose to help them achieve their goal. Dr. Nelson donated the final $1,500 needed to endow the scholarship and an additional $500 to provide for a scholarship during the first year while the endowment is earning interest.

“Beta Sigma Phi, Xi Kappa chapter has definitely worked together to help build hope, create dreams, and change the lives of Riverland students,” Steve Bowron, dean for institutional advancement at Riverland said in the release. “It has been a pleasure working the past four years with this wonderful group of women as they helped students achieve an education through the support of their scholarship. With the endowment they will be able to help students for many years to come. I am so proud of what they have accomplished through their fundraising efforts and generosity.”