RICHMOND — Tom Raper, philanthropist and former owner of Tom Raper’s RV’s, has established an endowed scholarship fund for Ivy Tech Community College’s Richmond campus. Raper finalized the gift during a signing ceremony Thursday at Ivy Tech’s Indianapolis location

Steve Tincher, Chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Richmond region, said, “This scholarship endowment is a wonderful example of Tom Raper’s continued significant support for education and investment in the lives of individuals in our community. We are honored to have the Tom Raper Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Endowment for Ivy Tech students,”

“We’re grateful to Tom and Suzanne Raper for establishing the Scholarship Endowment. Their generosity will support five Richmond area students with financial need to learn skills to be employees or employers,” said Thomas J. Snyder, Ivy Tech President.

The five scholarships will be awarded annually in fall semester. To qualify for the scholarships students will need help with college expenses and have a 2.5 or higher grade point average.

Attending the ceremony were President Snyder, Chancellor Tincher, John M. Murphy, Foundation President, Perry T. Hammock, Executive Director Development, Jeff Terp, Sr. Vice President for Engagement and Institutional Efficiency and Diana Pappin, Ivy Tech Richmond Executive Director of Resource Development.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its communities. In addition, its courses and programs transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association