RBI Sponsors Valley Scholars Program

As we look back at 2019, something we’re proud to be a part of and want to help raise awareness of is The Valley Scholars Program. This program is designed to increase access to higher education for first generation middle and high school students in the Shenandoah Valley by providing scholarship support for students attending JMU.

Students are selected in 7th grade after completing an application and interview process, and once accepted, they begin participating in the program in 8th grade. Participants engage in educational and cultural enrichment opportunities throughout the year to build both a support system and skills to achieve academic success.

“Riddleberger Brothers and Comfort Systems USA, understands our obligation to help the communities that we work and live in. The JMU Valley Scholars program assists talented students, who may not have the resources, achieve educational aspirations that they thought were not possible. We are honored to support this wonderful program at JMU.” – Daniel Blosser, President RBI

“It’s only because like-minded investors such as Riddleberger Brothers and Comfort Systems USA believe in Valley Scholars that we are able to offer cohorts of aspiring young 7th graders a pathway all the way to the Commencement stage… through their philanthropy they are unlocking the dreams of students from Augusta County, Harrisonburg City, Page County, Rockingham County, Shenandoah County, Staunton City, and Waynesboro City Schools.” Nick Langridge, Vice President for University Advancement, JMU

This Fall the program’s first students began their college experience at JMU, and after years of hard work, are seeing their dreams come true. You can read about their journey in this Washington Post article or learn more about The Valley Scholars program.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/james-madison-university-set-out-to-help-35-middle-schoolers-become-the-first-in-their-families-to-attend-college-would-they-succeed/2019/08/31/e5a3b9e8-c5aa-11e9-b72f-b31dfaa77212_story.html

https://www.jmu.edu/valleyscholars/about.shtml