FALCONER – Morgan Steele from Falconer Central School was presented with a Loretta M. Burd Scholarship Award during the Honors Convocation at the school.

The award was presented by Lori Rickerson, manager of Centra Credit Union’s Jamestown branch. Morgan will attend the State University at Fredonia to study biology with future plans to attend medical school.

“Paying for undergraduate and then medical school is going to be tough, but I know the Loretta M. Burd Scholarship will help ease the burden,” Steele said. “This scholarship means more to me than I can put into words.”

Morgan was one of eight high school students selected to receive a $1,000 college scholarship. Recipients were evaluated on academic performance, school and community involvement and an essay on the importance of developing sound money management skills. All scholarship winners are members of Centra Credit Union.

“Centra Foundation is delighted to award a Loretta M. Burd Scholarship to Falconer Central student Morgan Steele,” said Lyn Morgan, Centra Foundation president. “The Scholarship Committee was impressed by Morgan’s achievements and her essay. We are pleased to provide a $1,000 scholarship towards her college tuition. Centra Foundation would like to thank Centra members and friends who made donations to the Loretta M. Burd Scholarship Fund during the last year. The foundation received donations from members ranging in size from $1. When pooled together the donations make a difference.”

The Centra Foundation is the charitable arm of Centra Credit Union and was formed to extend the Credit Union’s mission of People Helping People. The scholarship program is named in honor of Loretta Burd, who retired in 2012 after 47 years of service to Centra Credit Union, including 25 years as CEO.

Additional information regarding Centra Foundation and the scholarship program can be found at centrafoundation.org or by contacting Lyn Morgan, Centra Foundation president, by emailing lmorgan@centra.org or calling 812-314-0285.