VGCC Scholarship Endowed in memory of Kerr Lake park ranger

A new scholarship was endowed recently at Vance-Granville Community College in memory of the late Nathan S. Burwell, Sr. of Manson. The scholarship fund was created by Burwell’s longtime friend, Lelia Brigham of Henderson, who is also a part-time VGCC art instructor.

 

A Vance County native, Burwell started his career with the State of North Carolina around 1968 and became a Park Ranger with the Kerr Reservoir Commission (now known as the Kerr Lake State Recreation Area) around 1972. He held that position until his retirement on January 1, 1995. During Burwell’s early years at Kerr Lake, the office manager was Lelia Brigham’s late husband, John Brigham. “He dedicated his life to caring for his family and community,” said Burwell’s youngest daughter, Corliss Burwell Baskerville. “During his career with State Parks, he touched many lives and made an abundance of friendships, and one of those lasting friendships was with John and Lelia Brigham.” That friendship later “trickled down” to Corliss, who also had the pleasure of working with Mr. Brigham during the summer of 1979. She joined the State Park staff permanently in March 1996, and is currently employed there as an Office Assistant IV. Mr. Burwell passed away on October 9, 1996.

 

In awarding the Nathan Burwell Memorial Academic Achievement Scholarship, preference will be given to former Adult Basic Skills students who earned a GED or Adult High School Diploma at VGCC, which prepared them to enroll in a curriculum program to earn a certificate, diploma or degree.

 

The new scholarship will add to the more than 6,500 scholarships that VGCC has awarded since 1982. Scholarships have been established by individuals, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff to assist deserving VGCC students. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education.  

 

Above: From left, Lelia Brigham and Corliss Burwell Baskerville presented the contributions creating the scholarship to VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams and Endowment Fund Board Vice-Chairman Robert Hubbard at the board’s February meeting. (VGCC Photo)