Dana Roddy
The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga has helped me tremendously since day one. When I was a senior in high school, I attended an information session lead by Rebecca Smith, scholarship officer from the foundation. She gave out lots of information about how the foundation could help fund college through scholarships for eligible students. I was very confused during my senior year about where I would attend school, how I would come up with financing, and where my life would go after graduation.
After being awarded a scholarship from the Community Foundation and accepting it, I was still confused about attending college in general, and of course knew nothing about the technicalities of scholarship awards. The foundation staff was very helpful. They held an orientation for all of the recipients where they not only went over our scholarships awards and how we would receive them, but also went over college life in general. They even had a panel of current college students to answer any and all questions the upcoming freshmen might have.
Rebecca Smith, scholarship officer, has been particularly helpful. She always checks in on me and makes sure that I am doing well. She is always available to listen and to give any helpful tips she might have regarding scholarships, career decisions, class selections, and much more. During my four years of school I have had the opportunity to give a little bit back to the Community Foundation by participating in information sessions and panel discussions for upcoming freshmen scholarship recipients.
I will be graduating from the University of Tennessee in May of 2006. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I plan to work in sales and marketing, hopefully for a pharmaceutical company. After working for several years, I would love to go back to school to get a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). Eventually I would love to take a few more health related courses, combine that with my degree in marketing/management, and use it to work in health care administration.
