Reisher Family Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships to attend UCCS

Current Colorado community college students interested in continuing their education at UCCS,  as well as continuing UCCS students, will be aided by a new scholarship from the Reisher Family Scholarship Fund of The Denver Foundation.

Beginning in fall 2009, an estimated 30 students will be eligible for awards ranging from $4,000 to $9,000 per academic year for up to three years. Eligibility requirements include Colorado residency, transferring from a community college as a junior with a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA, and demonstrated financial need. Current UCCS sophomores who meet grade and need requirements will also be eligible.

“I am honored the Reisher family has agreed to extend its legacy of helping Colorado residents to southern Colorado,” Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak said. “We know that successful futures are built on a solid educational base. With the help of the Reisher family, more southern Colorado residents will have the opportunity to build their futures.”

In addition to academic prowess and financial need, students must demonstrate community service, leadership activities, work experience or unusual experiences that make them outstanding. The students are also expected to work an average of 10 hours per week.  Internships and student teaching experiences can be substituted and waivers are available for student-athletes or for those students who care for a family member.

Applications will be available online at www.uccs.edu beginning Nov. 1, 2008 for the 2009-2010 academic year. For additional information about application details, contact Jennifer Fisher, scholarship coordinator, Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment, (719) 262-3460, scholarships@ufp.uccs.edu.

Founded by the Reisher family in 2000, the Reisher Family Scholarship Fund has a goal of helping worthy students from families with limited financial means complete a college or university degree. Previously, Reisher Scholarships were available only to students interested in attending several northern Colorado universities.

Margaret Reisher grew up in central Kansas, graduated from Kansas State University and worked as a home economist for the Gas Service Company.

Roger Reisher grew up on a southwestern Nebraska farm. Following military service, he graduated from the University of Colorado and began work with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the start of a 50-year banking career.

The Reishers married in 1952. In 1963, they moved to Lakewood where Mr. Reisher became president of a new bank. That bank became FirstBank of Colorado, now the largest locally owned and managed banking organization in Colorado.

-- Tom Hutton