Recipients and donors connect at CCCC scholarship luncheon

The Central Carolina Community College Foundation held its annual scholarship luncheon on Nov. 19 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford. 

The event provided an opportunity for donors and student scholarship recipients to meet one another, and for the foundation and college community to express gratitude for the donors’ generosity.

“The impact you are having is beyond your imagination,” CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman said. 

Two scholarship recipients shared their stories and thanks from during the program portion of the event.

Dominique Small spoke about raising her three children. As a single mother, she said, she experienced moments of uncertainty, even periods of homelessness, but those hard times fueled her determination to change the direction of her life and to encourage others to do the same. 

Today, Small wears many hats including certified life coach, nonprofit founder, and CCCC student. 

“You may never meet every student whose life you have touched, but please know that your kindness ripples through generations,” she said. “It gives children like mine a mother who can study without fear. It gives communities a new kind of hope.” 

Christian Hernandez, an engineering student, said the scholarship he received from the CCCC Foundation has played a bigger role in his progress than most people might realize.

The scholarship, he said, helped not only him, but also his parents. When it took pressure off them, that took pressure off him. That alone has made school feel more manageable. 

“Sometimes the best kind of support is the kind of support that removes the weight you didn’t even know you were carrying,” he said.

Nov. 30, 2025

Contributed.

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