Last Updated on August 28, 2025
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History
The Charlestown Scholarship Program was established in 1988 by John Erickson. To date, generous residents have contributed more than $4 million to provide scholarships to more than 1,300 employees for post-high school education in any accredited college, university, trade or vocational program.
This unique program supports the mission of Charlestown to support our employees and offer opportunities for growth and advancement. For many of our scholarship recipients, the awards make a difference in their ability to continue their education and follow their dreams.
Facts About the Scholars’ Program
Many scholars still work at Charlestown.
2024 | Scholars coaches program introduced to support students in their academic journey.
2023 | 130 active scholars received funding totaling over $200,000.
2022 | Technology Grant offered to new scholars to help with purchasing computers, tablets, etc.
2020 | One year scholarship option offered to provide adult learners the opportunity to continue their education.
All gifts to the Scholars’ Fund are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Gifts may be made throughout the year, though the campaign runs annually. Set up a contribution to the Scholars’ Fund online.
For any questions regarding the Scholars’ Fund, please contact:
Philanthropy Office
Cross Creek Station
410-314-7958
Charlestown Scholars’ Fund Exceeds Goal
Congratulations and THANK YOU, Charlestown Residents! With your generous donations we have exceeded our goal of $200,000 by raising a total of $213,213 for the Charlestown Scholars Program. As you know, this program allows us to offer academic financial assistance to our eligible student-employees here at Charlestown.
We hope you were able to watch the virtual Scholars’ Ceremony on channel 972 where we celebrated our 2021 Scholar Class by awarding 35 new Traditional scholarships and 4 One-Year scholarships. Our Traditional Scholars will receive up to $3,000 per year (increased this year from $2,000/year) for up to four years, and our One-Year Scholars will receive up to $3,000 for one year (renewable). Funds will be sent to their college or university to offset their academic tuition expenses. This class of Scholars will join the current 98 Charlestown Scholars, some of whom have graduated this spring. If you did not see the Ceremony you can watch online.
Along with the Charlestown Scholarship, the Scholar Candidates had an opportunity to apply for additional merit-based Named/Partnership Scholarships. The following Scholars received these special awards: Shawn Watson ~ the Andrew Murray Myers Scholarship ($2,000); Rion Durkan ~ the Fenton & Ted Robb Memorial Scholarship ($2,000); Joshebel Abase ~ the new Bettye Gray Memorial Scholarship ($4,000); Sophie Messenger ~ the Treasure Sale Scholarship ($2,000). Our Partnership Scholarships were earned by: Ann Obunadike and Payton Crandell-Kwon ~ two CCBC Partnership Scholarships ($500 each); Raven Worsley-Chambers ~ the new Morgan State University Partnership Scholarship ($4,000); Ekene Onyemeziem ~ the Towson University Partnership Scholarship ($6,000); Martins Osunnuga ~ the UMBC Partnership Scholarship ($10,000); and Daniel Wise was presented with the Committee Recognition Award ($1000).
We thank our Alumni guest speaker, Alyssa K. Cole, our Scholar Program alumni from the Class of 2011. Alyssa earned her Bachelor Degree from University of Maryland Eastern Shore and her Master’s Degree from LSU. Alyssa is a true representation of the power that our program offers to our student-employees giving them the opportunity to go to school and make their dreams a reality. Alyssa is a Career Counselor at the University of Maryland-Global Campus, owns a Career Consulting firm, and is an Author and a Poet. She gave a superb presentation thanking our residents for helping her with college expenses and encouraging the current students to excel and forge their path.
We thank each of our residents who made a donation to the 33rd Annual Scholar Campaign, without whom we would not be able to offer this opportunity to the student-employees that work so hard for all of us. This scholarship, for some, makes the difference for ability to afford to go to college and to continue their education. If you did not have an opportunity to donate, but would like to, donations for the Scholar Program can be made year-round with the Philanthropy Department.
A special note of appreciation to my fellow 2021 Scholar Committee members: Norma Goldberg, Roland Gray, Mel Milio, Marie Skane, Jackie Graham, Ed DeLong, Eugenia High, Mimi O’Donnell and to the Philanthropy Department team of Patti Santoni, Emily Fowler, and Lisa Zehring.
Charlie Eichenlaub
Scholars’ Committee Chair
