Winthrop student awarded two KSB scholarships

AUGUSTA — Dakota Carter, of Winthrop, has received scholarships from the Benjamin Apthorp Gould Fuller and Harriet S. Williams Fuller Memorial Fund and the Horace Williams Memorial Fund, Gail Conley, Kennebec Savings Bank director of investment services and regional vice president announced.

“These scholarship funds reward Dakota’s academic achievement and will help defray his college tuition and housing,” she said in a news release. Kennebec Savings Bank’s Trust and Investment Management Department administers both funds.

Carter is a 2015 graduate of Winthrop High School and the first in his family to enroll as a college student immediately after finishing high school. He attends Springfield College in Springfield, Mass., where he is enrolled as a health sciences major, pursuing a physician’s assistant degree. He has a 3.6 grade point average. When not studying, Carter plays intramural slow pitch softball and flag football at the college.

“Dakota is a great example of the type of young person these funds were set up to help,” said Craig Garofalo, chief operations officer at the bank. “He put in the effort while in high school, is working just as hard in college, and he’s set his sights on an impressive goal.” Scholarship recipients typically receive $500 a semester or $1,000 a year, Conley said. “With continued good academic standing, they may continue to receive these funds during all four years of college.” Because of each fund’s goals, first generation college students are eligible for an additional grant above and beyond the typical award. The two funds award approximately 17 scholarships annually to area students.

“The Williams and Fuller families both have prominent roles in the history of the Augusta area and it is an honor to be able to carry out the original wishes of Ms. Cobb in the form of these scholarships,” said Garofalo. Mary Sawtelle Cobb of Cambridge, Mass., created the Horace Williams Memorial Fund in 1915.

Its mission is to support the welfare and happiness of needy boys and girls, preferably, but not necessarily living in Augusta. In 1921, Cobb created a second fund, The Benjamin and Harriet Fuller Memorial fund. Its purpose is to promote health, education, welfare and happiness of boys and girls, preferably, but not necessarily living in Augusta.

Kennebec Savings Bank has offices in Augusta, Waterville, Winthrop and Farmingdale.