By Edwin Bierschenk
Original article here.
Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. and the city were selected as a 2016 City Livability second round finalist by the U.S. Conference of Mayors for its College Bound Program.
The program, sponsored by Waste Management, Inc., honors mayors and their city governments for developing programs that enhance the quality of life in urban areas. The City Livability Awards are presented annually to 10 mayors and their cities, five to cities with populations of 100,000 or more and five to cities with populations under 100,000.
A total of 180 cities applied for the awards this year, with 15 cities in each of the two population categories named second-round finalists. The winners will be announced in June.
According to a the city, Hammond’s College Bound scholarship program has been recognized for “its outstanding dedication in achieving a higher quality of life for Hammond and its youth.”
The objective of the program is to provide eligible students, living in an owner-occupied home in Hammond, with up to $10,500 per year toward tuition at an Indiana accredited college or university of their choice. The scholarship is renewable for up to four consecutive years. For more information, visit collegebound.gohammond.com.
“With the challenges our youth face, it is more important than ever for them to continue their education,” McDermott stated. “Earning a college degree will generate more and exciting opportunities for these graduates when they enter the workforce.”
College Bound Coordinator Courtney Margraf added that the program is an “awesome asset” for the city. “It attracts constant attention state and nationwide. We are going 10 years strong and continue to grow with over 500 student benefiting each year. It truly has enhanced our quality of life here in Hammond.”