The Montclarion
June 24, 2005
By Sandy Clark

Rickey Smith began to take his studies seriously when he went to live with his grandparents in the fourth grade. By the time he enrolled in Skyline High School, tragedy was eating away at his family life.

Both grandparents passed away within three months after he entered high school. They had always encouraged his education. Now, thanks to a $16,000 scholarship from the East Bay College Fund, his dream — and the dream of his late grandparents — will become a reality this fall at San Jose State University.

Formed in 2002 by a wide variety of East Bay educators, activists and citizens, the East Bay College Fund is based on the successful San Francisco-based Meritus College Fund. The fund’s “Great Expectations” award provides recipients $16,000 over four years and a mentor to help guide them through the college experience.

Like many other students, Smith heard about the scholarship through his guidance counselor. It will go a long way toward making his dream of gaining a computer science degree a reality.

“It’s making it easier to go to college,” Smith said. “This scholarship means I won’t be worrying about a lot of things I would have worried about. It means I won’t need to take out student loans.”

Several Piedmonters are fund founders and board members. David Staley is the board treasurer. Barb Fremder is the board secretary, and her husband, Andy Fremder, is president of the board. In the fund’s first year, they were able to award seven scholarships. This year, awards totaled $208,000 to 13 high school seniors.

The awards are targeted to fill the gap in a student’s college funding. A typical recipient will be spending about $20,000 annually at a public university, with 60 percent of that cost covered through a variety of other sources.

This award reduces a student’s need for loans or work allowing them to focus on their studies.

“We have selected an amazing group of young people who have demonstrated their ability to excel academically while overcoming significant personal challenges,” Andy Fremder said. “The scholarships are made possible by individuals, donor groups and corporate foundations that value education and seek to support these special graduates in their college aspirations.”

Smith learned that he had won his scholarship at lunch.

“My counselor came and found me,” Smith said. “I felt I had really accomplished something. They started off with something like 150 candidates and narrowed that down. I had done an interview, but still wasn’t sure I’d make the cut. It made my day.”

To contribute time or funds to the East Bay College Fund, see www.eastbaycollegefund.org or call 510-594-4004.