Gene Epstein is doing something Thursday that would make Elvis Presley proud.
He sold the king’s 1969 Mercedes Benz that Presley owned and drove, and that was later put on display at his estate, Graceland. The car’s sale will provide funding for full scholarships for 100 Bucks County Community College students in need.
Bucks County philanthropists with long ties to the college, Epstein and his wife, Marlene, want to ensure that financial need doesn’t prevent teenagers from Lower Bucks from attending college.
“I am so thrilled that BCCC worked so diligently with me and put up with my relentless efforts to be able to get full scholarships to the neediest of students in Lower Bucks County,” Epstein said in a text message. He placed the funds from the Mercedes’ aside while the college developed a plan to distribute them.
“Every student’s story is different but the financial gap in paying for college is still apparent. Through the generosity of Gene and Marlene Epstein, a student can achieve greater success in college without financial burden,” said Rodney Altemose, associate vice president of Student Affairs.
For qualifying students who apply to the college for the fall semester and show financial need, the Epstein funds will be added to their financial aid package to provide the full scholarships.
College President Felicia Ganther and senior members of the BCCC Foundation will host the Epsteins on Thursday afternoon at the main campus in Newtown to accept the donation from the Epsteins’ Humanitarian Fund.
How to apply for tuition-free college at Bucks County Community College
“Scholarship eligibility is based on financial need and is for recent high school graduates from Lower Bucks County. For consideration, students must visit bucks.edu, apply for admission, and complete a FAFSA application. College admission counselors are available in person and virtually for consultations for support in applying to Bucks,” the college stated in announcing the scholarships.
Tuition to the community college is $3,000 a semester.
The college offers financial aid packages, but for some students and their families, it still isn’t enough to ensure they can complete their education at the two-year school to earn an associate’s degree as a pathway to employment or as a stepping stone to attend another college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree.
The full scholarships will cover the cost of two years at the college and books for the student recipients.
“There are these scholarship opportunities for 100 students to help full in any gaps in financial aid…We never did something on this large of a scale before, so we’re really excited,” said Christina Kalmar, interim associate vice president for Advancement and executive director of the BCCC Foundation.
The Epsteins have been generous donors to the college for many years and in 2017, the foundation and trustees dedicated the Bristol Campus on Route 413 as the Gene and Marlene Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks.
“Gene’s motto is ‘What can I do to make someone’s life better today?,’ ” Kahmar said. “Every day through their philanthropy and advocacy, they answer this question with intention and pride.”
For more information about the scholarship award process, contact schoarships@bucks.edu or call 215-968-8416.`
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