The CSRA (Central Savannah River Area) College Night was held at the James Brown Arena in Augusta, Georgia.
The CSRA (Central Savannah River Area) College Night was held at the James Brown Arena in Augusta, Georgia.

AIKEN, S.C. – The CSRA (Central Savannah River Area) College Night, which is sponsored in part by the DOE-Savannah River Operations Office, has marked its 25-year anniversary with a cumulative attendance of more than 100,000 area high school students, parents, and educators at the annual event.

“I can remember the first year we held a College Night over 20 years ago. It was in the gym at North Augusta High School,” said Jay Jefferies, master of ceremony for the event. “We had about 200 to 300 students and we were amazed with the turnout. And, now, we're filling the Augusta’s James Brown Arena wall to wall."

Throughout the past 25 years, more than $300,000 in scholarship funding has been offered to area students who have attended College Night, which is organized by Savannah River Site management and operations contractor Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS).

This year, recruiters from over 130 colleges and universities attended the event, and 16 students were each awarded $1,000 scholarships through drawings.

Representatives from more than 130 colleges and universities were on hand during this year’s CSRA (Central Savannah River Area) College Night.
Representatives from more than 130 colleges and universities were on hand during this year’s CSRA (Central Savannah River Area) College Night.

“The CSRA community provides a tremendous amount of support, both financially and with in-kind donations of service,” said Francine Burroughs, who manages the SRNS education outreach program. “The community partnerships that have been forged through participation in this event allow our committee to provide more resources for the students and parents each year.”

Gladys Moore, CSRA College Night chair and SRNS employee, said the generosity of scholarship sponsors and efforts of more than 100 volunteers are major reasons why the event is so successful each year.

“It’s rewarding to see so many students having the opportunity to meet with college representatives of their choice, knowing this night could have a significant impact on their post high school education,” Moore said. “To see the joy and excitement in the faces of those receiving one of our college scholarships makes all the work worthwhile.”

Local high school student Ny’Jada Braddy displays the $1,000 scholarship certificate presented to her at this year’s CSRA (Central Savannah River Area) College Night, where scholarships totaling $16,000 were awarded.
Local high school student Ny’Jada Braddy displays the $1,000 scholarship certificate presented to her at this year’s CSRA (Central Savannah River Area) College Night, where scholarships totaling $16,000 were awarded.

Moore acknowledged the contributions by members of the CSRA College Night Committee, who spent many hours preparing for the event at the arena.

“They understand the impact this event has financially for a significant percentage of our attending students. College Night can help reduce the number of planned college visits for students, potentially saving them thousands in travel costs,” she said.

Kiana Glasker, a high school senior from Evans, Georgia, said she was amazed by the many college recruiters at the event. Glasker also noted that she could whittle down her choices for college as a result of attending College Night.

“When we walked in here, I said, ‘Wow,’” Glasker said. “But it’s great, because I can finally narrow down my list.”