Conklin Scholars

A local hero and humanitarian who had the vision, compassion and selflessness to share the fruits of his labor with others, Charlie Conklin – together with his wife, Mabel (Betty) – improved countless lives in the Hudson Valley.

Through the Charles E. and Mabel E. Conklin Scholarship for Academic Excellence established through the DCC Foundation in 2003, over 500 top graduates from local high schools have attended DCC tuition-free. The Foundation’s annual Conklin Scholarship luncheon, where Charlie and Mabel had the opportunity to meet the scholarship recipients and their families, was one of their favorite events.

In recognition of Charlie’s tremendous impact on education and extraordinary commitment to students, the State University of New York awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2016. It was presented at the College’s commencement ceremony, where he received a standing ovation.

Charlie and Betty will live on in the hearts and minds of those whose lives they so profoundly touched, and they will continue to inspire us all.

The Charles E. and Mabel E. Conklin Scholarship for Academic Excellence was created to provide a full-tuition scholarship for any Dutchess County high school student who graduates in the top 10 percent of his or her class. This extraordinary scholarship offers outstanding students the opportunity to earn their two-year degree tuition-free.

This scholarship is made possible through a generous gift from the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Conklin and the Dutchess Community College Foundation.

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