From all ranks and branches of the military, the group that gathered at Landini Brothers in Alexandria, Va., on June 2, was quite impressive. For many, this annual event is one they never want to miss.
The new faces in the room – all donors to the Dan Daniel-MRI Endowed Scholarship – quickly learned why. They listened intently to Averett University student Greg Bock, a veteran and reservist in the United States Marine Corps, as he recounted his time serving several overseas tours.
“I’m just so thankful for the opportunity to be here and for what all of you have done for this scholarship. I’m thankful for Averett,” said Bock, who is studying aerospace management and business with a flight operations concentration.
Bock is one of the recipients of The Dan Daniel-MRI Endowed Scholarship that was established in March 2012 through proceeds of the Military Resale Invitational, an annual golf tournament, which follows the dinner at Landini Brothers and honors the memory of the late Congressman, Dan Daniel.
Since 2011-12, there have been 26 student recipients of the Dan Daniel-MRI Endowed Scholarship with more than $60,000 in awards distributed during that timeframe. Recipients have included active duty, veterans and military family members.
The Military Resale Invitational, to date, has generated $320,750 in funding for the Dan Daniel-MRI Endowed Scholarship. An additional $208,580 in gifts has been received from other Averett donors for the scholarship. The fund balance is now approximately $570,000. The steady growth of the scholarship allows for increased scholarship awards each year with more than $17,800 awarded in 2018-19 and more than $21,000 available for 2019-20.
To receive this scholarship, the students must be a full-time, undergraduate, traditional or non-traditional student; a veteran, reserve or active duty military member; or a spouse or offspring of deceased, wounded, veteran or active duty military member. A preference given to qualified students with financial need and the award may be renewable for up to three years, if the student maintains at least a 2.5 GPA.
“Attending the tournament this year really put into perspective how truly amazing these individuals and companies are who donate to the scholarship. I could not do what I do without their support. I have never felt more welcome and proud to be a part of the Averett Family,” Bock said.
In 2018-19, two other students received the MRI scholarship.
Christine Harris, a veteran of the U.S. Army, is a psychology major and women’s soccer student-athlete at Averett.
“I qualified for several scholarships, like the MRI Scholarship, that would help pay for the rest of my tuition after the GI Bill® without having to take out student loans,” said Harris. “A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders upon hearing that, especially since my husband and I are both veterans with service-connected disabilities from injuries we sustained while serving in the Army.”
The other was Mark McKinney, a reservist in the U.S. Marines and an Averett aerospace management major.
“I’m grateful to be a recipient of the MRI Scholarship and would like to thank all the donors and sponsors who made receiving this scholarship possible,” said McKinney. “I believe the MRI Scholarship will be a powerful catalyst in helping me achieve all of my educational goals.”
