Students enrolled in Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) are already seeing the benefits of a scholarship endowment totaling more than $25 million. The Harold P. Bovenkerk Scholarship for Engineering and Natural Sciences will be awarded to CCPS students based on the endowment’s annual interest, approximately $1 million in this initial year. The late Harold P. Bovenkerk, known as Hal to his friends, changed the world through innovation. A 46-year employee of General Electric, Mr. Bovenkerk retired in Naples after playing a key role in developing the synthetic diamond. The desire to continue advancements through future generations led Mr. Bovenkerk to leave a legacy gift, an endowment, to CCPS families. 

During late April, District staff made surprise visits to schools and awarded 60 scholarships — including seven full rides — two of which are going to students attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.)  Eight seniors received $20,000 scholarships and 45 seniors received $7,000 scholarships, all eligible for renewal.  

Recipient students represent all CCPS high schools: Barron Collier High, Gulf Coast High, Golden Gate High, Immokalee High, Lely High, Palmetto Ridge High, Lorenzo Walker Technical High, and Naples High. The goal is to provide approximately $1.4 million in scholarships annually to CCPS graduating seniors that have demonstrated excellence in advanced math, science, or engineering and plan to pursue a four-year college degree in one of these fields. Learn more at www.collierschools.com/scholarships.