Community Partnership

Cardinal Foundation awards scholarships

Since the foundation’s inception, it has awarded over $65,000 in scholarships

The Cardinal Foundation, a support organization of Gadsden State Community College, awarded scholarships to 10 students

Cardinal Foundation Board Members
Cardinal Foundation Scholarship Recipients


“The Cardinal Foundation exists to support the mission of Gadsden State and to provide opportunities for students,” said Mark Condra, president of the Cardinal Foundation Board of Directors. “It is an honor to recognize these students for all their hard work and to award them with a scholarship to attend Gadsden State.” 

The Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation awarded Maribel Perez of Sardis City with the Cardinals Who Give scholarship. This scholarship is worth $1,500 and is to assist with tuition, books and fees. Perez is pursuing a Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree and will graduate in December 2021. 

The second recipient of the Cardinals Who Give scholarship was Serena Knight of Gadsden. She is the daughter of Kimberly Knight. She is majoring in general studies. After graduation, Knight plans to transfer to The University of Alabama in Huntsville to major in nursing. Knight’s career goal is to become a nurse anesthetist. 

The Swoop Sprint 5K Scholarship is also a $1,500 scholarship and can be used for tuition, books and fees. Jana Croft of Cedar Bluff was the recipient of this scholarship. She is married to Eric and together they have Iris, 2, and Cedar, 9 months. She is majoring in nursing and plans to graduate in the fall 2021. 

The Gerald Acker Scholarship is given to an incoming Gadsden State student enrolled in the Electronic Technology program. This scholarship is $2,000 and was awarded to Christopher Boyd of Anniston. Boyd is the son of Michael Boyd and Geraldine Lawrence and the father to Crystal Barner, 19, and Alivia Boyd, 9. Boyd will graduate in 2022 and hopes to work for a power company. 

The Alabama Homebuilders Construction Scholarship is a $600 scholarship to a student enrolled in the Building Technology program. Hudson Howle of Rainbow City was the scholarship recipient. Howle is the son of Susan Howle. He plans to graduate in the summer 2022. 

The Benjamin Steinberg scholarship is a $500 scholarship to a student enrolled in the Nursing program. The 2020 recipient was Kylie Grimmett of Rainbow City. Grimmett’s parents are Audrey Michelle Lowery and Keno Versha Grimmett. She plans to graduate in the summer 2022. 

The Michael Scott Hatten Memorial Scholarship is $1,000 and awarded to students taking courses in Precision Machining. Tesla Wheeler of Oxford was the scholarship recipient. Wheeler is the daughter of Deborah Wheeler. She plans to graduate in the spring 2021 and work at CNC Machine Shop. 

The Tim & Laura McCartney CTE Scholarship awards three $1,500 scholarships to students majoring in a technical program. Gregory Carnes from Hokes Bluff was one of the recipients of this scholarship. Carnes is the son of Donna Carnes. Carnes is majoring in Electrical Technology and plans to graduate in December. He hopes to become an electrician after graduation. 

Clay Rainey of Hokes Bluff was also a recipient of the McCartney scholarship. Rainey is the son of Dustin and Leann. He is majoring in Electrical Technology and plans to graduate in the fall 2022. His career goal is to be a lineman. 

Jakeb-Thomas Grayson Mintz was the third McCartney scholarship recipient. Mintz is from Rainbow City. He is the son of Garry and Paige. He is majoring in Industrial Automation Technology and plans to graduate spring 2022. Mintz hopes to one day work in management. 

The Cardinal Foundation awarded a total of 15 scholarships for the 2020 - 2021 academic school year. Since the foundation’s inception, it has awarded over $65,000 in scholarships to students.


Cardinal Foundation announces 10 board members, names new board leadership

The Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation elected 10 new board members and new board officers who will support the nonprofit’s mission to provide opportunities for students and the College. 

Mark Condra
Mark Condra, Cardinal Foundation Board President


The Cardinal Foundation elected Mark Condra as its new president. Condra has served on the board since 2018 and most recently was the board’s vice president. Boozer Laminated Beam Company President and CEO Bud Owsley will now serve as the board’s vice president and chair of the Board Development Committee. 

 “I am extremely proud of our newest board members for many reasons,” said Condra. “Not only are they respected members of their communities, but each of them has a personal connection to Gadsden State which makes them ideal spokespeople and promoters of the college.”

Alabama Teachers Credit Union Branch Manager Bryan Dorsett was elected as board treasurer and chairs the Finance and Investment Committee. Physician Liasion for RMC-Anniston Anna Moore was elected as secretary and serves as the co-chair of the Special Events Committee. 

 The new board members began their three-year terms with the Cardinal Foundation effective July 1, 2020, and can serve a maximum of two terms. The 10 new board members are: 

  • Honorable Tim Burgess, probate judge and chairman of the Cherokee County Commision 
  • Maj. Gen. Eric Crabtree, retired US Air Force pilot/manager 
  • Tommie Goggans III, president of Goggans Group Inc. 
  • David Hooks, executive director of Gadsden-Etowah IDA 
  • Gerri Langley, office administration instructor for Gadsden State Community College 
  • Trudy Lowe, chief operating officer for Preferred Health Services Inc. 
  • Gayle Macolly, manager of Eastman 
  • Jonathan Tang, vice president of Ira Phillips Inc. and president of Tang Mart LLC. 
  • Davis Varner, attorney with Shelnutt and Varner, P.C. 
  • Bess Yarbrough, council member for City of Centre
Cardinal Foundation Board Members
New Cardinal Foundation Board Members