DURHAM – Good news for students in Durham – the town has revived awarding a yearly $1,000 scholarship to one or two worthy local recipients.

“It’s been a number of years since we’ve done this,” said Kendra O’Connell, co-chairwoman of the newly resurrected Durham Scholarship Fund Committee. “I wasn’t even living in town the last time they gave one out and I’ve been here for 10 years.” All Durham students entering their freshman year of post-secondary education are eligible, regardless of what school he or she attends, said O’Connell. During a meeting June 18, the Board of Selectman awarded Benjamin Tindal, a recent graduate of Merriconeag Waldorf High School, the $1,000 scholarship. Tindal will be attending Middlebury College in Vermont this fall and intends to study international politics and economics. The scholarship was initially given by the Durham School Department, which eventually turned the money over to the town, said O’Connell. “The money had just been sitting there and nobody was doing anything with it. They wanted to get it reactivated,” she said. Prior recipients of the scholarship money were expected to participate in fundraising efforts, earning their prize with door-to-door solicitations and other techniques, an initiative that will continue as the committee finds its bearings. “We’re hoping to revive the fundraising efforts so we can give two $1,000 scholarships,” said O’Connell. “The committee came together pretty quick and we hope to have a better strategy next year.” According to O’Connell, the scholarship committee reviews applications and does not use names to ensure confidentially and avoid the appearance of bias. Jeff Wakeman, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, was a recipient of the prior incarnation of the Durham scholarship. “I received the scholarship in 1994,” Wakeman wrote in an email. “I don’t remember the actual scholarship amount, I think it was about $500. I attended USM (the University of Southern Maine). For fundraisers we did a spaghetti supper, bottle drive, and also a walk-a-thon.” According to the US Department of Education, $35 million in college scholarships is given out yearly through private companies, foundations, and civic groups. With the average cost of a college education hovering above $30,000 according to a report by U.S. News, the $1,000 may represent a drop in the bucket, but could cover the costs of textbooks and other materials, said O’Connell. “It’s been dormant for so long that it’s hard to find any recipients that live here anymore,” said Janet Smith, administrative assistant for the town. “We have at least enough money in the fund for 20 more scholarships even if the committee does not start new fundraising.”

Durham Board of Selectmen Chairman Jeff Wakeman and Durham Scholarship Fund Co-Chairwoman Kendra O’Connell award Benjamin Tindall the Town of Durham Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is again available to any Durham resident entering freshman year of post-secondary education.