Roane State Community College

January 14, 2024

Longtime Roane State Foundation supporters Ron and Dale Hensley recently established the “Helping Hand Scholarship Endowment” to support single working parents who have returned to college at Roane State.

This new endowment honors the 25th anniversary of the Helping Hand Scholarship they started in 1999, which has helped adult students complete their education and provide better support for their families.

“The generosity of the Hensleys throughout the years has allowed many single working parents to continue their education,” said Scott Niemann, executive director of Roane State Foundation. “The new endowment will provide support for many generations to come.”

Ron Hensley said the idea to start a scholarship happened as he was attending a class at Roane State and learned about the struggles facing some students.

“A fellow classmate was a young single working mother who was trying very hard to support her young son while also attending college to build a better life for the two of them,” Hensley explained. “This touched my heart and inspired us to establish the scholarship.”

The Hensleys said that reading thank you letters from grateful scholarship recipients each year lets them know they are truly making a life-changing difference.

“A strong education and community are at the heart of these efforts by the Hensleys,” Niermann added. “Their desire to help others succeed is evident when you meet Ron and Dale. The Foundation is grateful for their generous support throughout the years, and we look forward to continuing that through this new endowment.”

Additional information on Roane State Foundation, including donation opportunities and available scholarships for students, can be found online at knowledgemantra.net/foundation.