The scholarship committee of my reunion discussed this same issue. I personally felt that the scholarship recipients should be present at the reunion. However, the committee decided that they weren't going to make that a requirement at the moment.

We also awarded 4 $500 scholarships at our last reunion. Although the amounts are relatively small, just the honor of being recognized by their family along with $500 to assist in their education should be reason enough for them to try to attend, if they can. For one to not even attempt to come, accept the money without expressing some form of gratitude boils my blood, personally.

May I ask several questions concerning your scholarship program within your family? What are ways you all are generating more funds to put into the scholarship fund? Are you all sending the checks directly to the college/university or giving it to the recipients. Several people on our committee praised the idea of sending the scholarship money directly to the school and the recipients will be credited that amount from their tuition costs.

Mel