Recently, Elizabethtown College announced the 2024 recipients of the Rigg Family Chester County Futures (CCF) Scholarship. Oxford Area High School seniors Daniela P. Ayllon and Emely Rodriguez were each awarded the scholarship, which provides full room, board, and tuition for up to eight semesters to attend the College.
“Chester County Futures is very thankful for the partnership with Elizabethtown College, which continues to provide hope and opportunities for students to succeed in life while investing in the future,” Chester County Futures Executive Director, Katie Breslin Duffus said. “Together we provide the support, resources, and encouragement to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals, ensuring that no obstacle stands in the way of their success.”
Emely Rodriguez
Established in 2018, the scholarship is funded by alumnus Robert ’74 and Karen Rigg to provide financial assistance to underrepresented or first-generation students from the CCF program each year who attend Elizabethtown College. In 2021, the Riggs generously gave the College the largest gift pledge toward an endowed scholarship by a living donor in College history to support the scholarship.
“This scholarship will help me achieve my goals, the first of which is getting a college education and not having to worry about my financial security,” Rodriguez, who plans to study Psychology at Etown said. “I will be able to have access to resources like an internship that will help me in my future career. I sincerely thank the Riggs for this wonderful opportunity and scholarship.”
The scholarship is closely tied to the CCF program to which Bob and Karen are also dedicated supporters. The CCF program connects students with opportunities, resources, and support to empower success in school and post-secondary life. Students who have completed the Chester County Futures “Passport to College” program receive preference in the Rigg Scholarship application process.
Daniela P. Ayllon
“CCF and the Riggs have granted me the opportunity to pursue my goal of expanding my learning without worrying about how I will be getting through,” Ayllon, who intends to study major in Accounting at Etown, said. “Not only have they given me a great support system but they have given me a lifetime experience that I will always cherish forever.”
Students who receive the scholarship also are expected to participate in Elizabethtown College’s Momentum Program, which introduces incoming students to the College’s robust curriculum through real-world learning opportunities and acclimates them to the college environment. Momentum students are connected with student mentors, faculty, professional staff, administrators, and alumni who have been or would have been involved in the Momentum program.
Bob graduated from Elizabethtown College in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is currently a Managing General Partner with Silver Oak LLC, and J&R Real Estate, providing commercial property management in Chester and Berks Counties. A recipient of the College’s prestigious 2022-23 Educate For Service – Service to the College Award, Bob has served as a director on over a dozen nonprofits, including serving as Chair of the Board for the Chester County Community Foundation, now director Emeritus.