OLEAN, N.Y. — Otto-Eldred (Pa.) High School seniors will have a new scholarship opportunity this year thanks to the Bob & Barbara McCord Scholarship Fund recently established at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.
The scholarship fund, established through the Bob & Barbara McCord Private Foundation, will provide scholarships for graduating Otto-Eldred High School students attending post-secondary institutions with preference for students pursuing higher education in a career/technical field.
The scholarship is named in honor of Bob and Barbara McCord, both graduates of Otto High School.
Bob McCord served in the U.S. Air Force for 27 years, retiring as a chief master sergeant. Barbara McCord served as a secretary on many of the bases where he was stationed. Both are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
According to family members, Bob McCord was not known for academic achievement in high school, but he advanced in his retirement to achieve a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering.
While the McCords had no children of their own, they have many extended family members in the Olean area and always felt at home in the community where they grew up.
Following Bob McCord’s passing in 1988 and Barbara McCord in 2013, they directed for the establishment of the Bob & Barbara McCord Private Foundation to help others accomplish their educational goals.
The Bob and Barbara McCord Scholarship is one of two new scholarships available at CRCF for Otto-Eldred High School seniors.
Students applying for this scholarship should be in good academic standing, be involved in extracurricular activities and demonstrate financial need.
The award amount will vary. Recipients may re-apply as long as they meet the criteria and remain in good academic standing in their program.
Students can apply for all CRCF-managed scholarships beginning Feb. 1 at cattfoundation.org/scholarships.
Donations can be made to the Bob & Barbara McCord Scholarship Fund at CRCF, 301 North Union St., Suite 203, or online at cattfoundation.org.
