By Keith Lawrence

Judge-Executive Al Mattingly unveiled a new BOLD Promise scholarship Monday that will target Daviess County students who are within 12 hours of completing a degree, diploma or certificate from any local college that's accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

And he presented the scholarship fund with its first contribution — a check for $10,000.

That will translate into 10 scholarships worth a total $20,000 because each of the local colleges has agreed to match the $1,000 scholarships — making them each worth $2,000.

Mattingly emphasized that the scholarship program will get no tax dollars. All of the money will come from private donations, he said.

U.S. Census figures from 2010 show that 18,123 Daviess Countians have some college or an associate degree, while 11,653 have a bachelor's degree or higher.

"Every semester we have students who fall through the cracks just inches away from a degree," said City Commissioner Bob Glenn, a member of the Owensboro Community & Technical College faculty as well as a member of the BOLD Promise scholarship committee. "People can change their family tree by getting a degree."

Mattingly said he hopes the new scholarship will "bring hope to nontraditional students in our community. We want to assist people who otherwise may not have an opportunity to continue their education."

The scholarships, he said, are designed to "keep the best and brightest in our community. We would all like to see our kids stay in this community."

While the scholarships are now for those within 12 hours of graduation, Mattingly said he hopes enough money can be raised to expand them to more people.

Too many students today, he said, spend four to six years getting a degree and are then "saddled with all kinds of loans."

The committee will begin advertising the availability of the scholarships on Aug. 15. The application deadline will be Oct. 15.

The winners will be announced at the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce's Rooster Booster Breakfast in January.

Scholarship money can be used for tuition, books, academic fees, room and board, equipment  purchased through the college or any direct or indirect expenses necessary for completion of the program.

The Green River Area Community Foundation will administer the scholarship program.

"This is a tremendous day that tells you what Owensboro is about," G. Dan Griffith, the foundation's executive director, told the crowd that gathered for the announcement.

"The word is out about Daviess County and how much we value education," said the Rev. Larry Hostetter, president of Brescia University.

Members of the scholarship committee include Mattingly, Glenn, Kyle Aud (who will serve as co-chairman with Mattingly), Sharla Austin-Darnell, Dr. Elizabeth Mauzy-Martin, Helen Mountjoy and Nate Pagan.