Study: More College Graduates in Tamaqua Thanks to Morgan Success Scholarships

TAMAQUA - A new study shows a strong link between the increase in Tamaqua Area School District residents who have earned an associate degree and the Morgan Success Scholarship, which guarantees two years of free tuition for Tamaqua Area High School graduates who attend Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC).

Considering this news, Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) congratulated all the community partners who worked together to establish the LCCC Morgan Center at a vacant, abandoned school and created the Morgan Success Scholarship to draw students to attend classes there, including the John E. Morgan Foundation, the Tamaqua Area School District, LCCC, state and local officials, and many other members of the community.

"The Tamaqua Area School District now has a higher percentage of residents who have earned an associate degree than almost any other Schuylkill County school district - it's increased by 50% in the past decade," said Argall. "This was truly one of the most successful efforts to breathe new life into a community that I have ever witnessed."

Since LCCC opened its doors in Tamaqua, more than 2,200 students have earned associate degrees, certificates, or diplomas at the location. According to a study published by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, the Morgan Success Scholarship in particular "strongly refashions the educational trajectories of many eligible students."

The study concludes, "specifically, it leads a sizable share of students to enroll in community college who otherwise would not have enrolled anywhere, initially diverts a very large share of students from four-year colleges to community college, and considerably increases the proportion of students who earn associate degrees. After four to six years, because of the program, Tamaqua has fewer high school graduates with no postsecondary education, many more who attended community college but earned no credentials, considerably more with a terminal associate degree, and slightly fewer with a bachelor's degree."

CONTACT: Jim Brugger