Bert Horwitz and Jamie Bateman

Bert Horwitz (left) and Jamie Bateman

AVON PARK, Fla. – Feb. 29, 2024 – Bert Horwitz has made it easier for South Florida State College (SFSC) students in career and trades programs to attend the College because of an endowed scholarship he established through the SFSC Foundation.

Horwitz, who is a resident of Highlands County, contacted members of the SFSC Foundation to establish the BEKA Endowed Trades Scholarship in memory of his wife, Kathy, who passed away several years ago and with whom he was married for 56 years. BEKA is a combination of their names, Bert and Kathy.

“Through this endowed scholarship, Mr. Horwitz will honor his wife, Kathy, and provide SFSC students with a financial resource for many years into the future,” said Jamie Bateman, vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs at SFSC. “Because of people like Mr. Horwitz, our students can focus on their studies and, in time, make our community economically stronger.”

Applicants for the BEKA Endowed Trades Scholarship must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on a full-time basis in a certificate program at SFSC and, specifically, enrolled in a career or trade school program. They must be permanent residents of Highlands, DeSoto, or Hardee County. Preference will be given to students with demonstrated financial need. Awards will be in the amount of $500.

An endowed scholarship enables donors to create a legacy, carrying funds toward student scholarships into perpetuity. Scholarships for students are awarded from the interest that the endowment earns. As the corpus grows, the SFSC Foundation can award scholarships to students for years to come.

To apply for scholarships made available through the SFSC Foundation, visit AwardSpring at: southflorida.awardspring.com. For more information about the SFSC Foundation or to make a donation, call 863-453-3133 or email foundation@southflorida.edu.