Central Texas College Foundation Awards More Than $300,000 in Scholarships

KILLEEN, TEXAS (May 13, 2025) – Fifty-two year old Katrina Richardson of Killeen survived stage 3 cancer and decided she was going to attend college for the first time and enrolled at Central Texas College. On Tuesday evening, she received the CTC Office Technology Endowed Scholarship.

“With this scholarship, I did not have to worry about how I can pay for a class or books. Even with financial aid, I still did not have enough money for books and CTC loaned me books from its book lending closet,” Richardson said. “With this scholarship, I can now pay my tuition and not have to worry how I am going to buy a book or pay for a class. This scholarship allows me to truly live my life the its fullest.”

More than 200 students were awarded scholarships totaling over $316,000 during the Central Texas College Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Award Ceremony and Reception, held this evening at the Anderson Campus Center on the CTC campus.

Jasmine Hallett, 32 of Killeen, received the CTC Fine Arts Department Concert Series Music Scholarship Fund.

“I feel very grateful and thankful that someone would invest in my future,” Hallett said. “If I did not have this scholarship, I would have to somehow figure out how to finance my education and I am not sure I could do it.”

In all, an estimated 238 scholarships were presented to students pursuing associate degrees and certifications in a range of high-demand fields including business, healthcare, and liberal arts.

“This annual event is a powerful reminder of the impact our donors and community have in creating accessible and equitable pathways to higher education,” said CTC Foundation Board Chairman Clarence Enochs. “Each scholarship represents an investment in a student’s future and in the vitality of our region.”

Valerie Payson, Executive Director of the CTC Foundation, emphasized the importance of community partnerships in the Foundation’s continued success.

“None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors and the strong partnerships we've built across Central Texas,” said Payson. “From individual contributions to local business sponsorships and participation in our annual fundraising events, the community plays a vital role in opening doors for our students and helping them reach their educational and career goals.”

The CTC Foundation was established in 1992 and has grown to include nearly 215 endowed scholarships and a $14.5 million endowment. In the past decade alone, the Foundation has awarded nearly $4.4 million in scholarships to support student success.