TCC receives $250,000 donation from Banister Automotive for scholarships and more 

Tidewater Community College is the recipient of a $250,000 sponsorship and scholarship donation from Banister Automotive.  

“We are thrilled to partner with Banister Automotive to provide scholarship opportunities for our students,” said TCC President Marcia Conston. “We are grateful for this contribution and look forward to a continuing partnership with Banister Automotive to support our students and community.”

The donation will also fund a new TCC Presidential Scholarship for outstanding student scholars. The scholarships may be used to cover tuition, books, fees, tools, and all other needed materials for students to be successful.

In addition, the donation will be used to develop dual enrollment programs for high school students. Dual enrollment programs provide access to college classes for high school juniors and seniors, in an effort to give them a head start on their college careers.

Banister Automotive, established in 2017, is committed to supporting the community it serves. One of their goals is to support community initiatives and propel past barriers to get students into great jobs.

“Education is empowering which is why I stand behind the mission of community colleges and the vision of Tidewater Community College. TCC affords students in our region with the opportunity to attend college for little to no cost and succeed with the proper support; it is an effort we support at Banister,” said Dan Banister, Owner of Banister Automotive, which includes Banister Nissan of Chesapeake, Banister Nissan of Norfolk and Banister Ford of Marlow Heights Maryland.

Banister continued, “I serve on TCC’s Educational Foundation Board to represent my wife and children. We know what it’s like to have the college dream and want to ensure that all people have those opportunities. Our board is focused on reducing college debt for graduates. Currently, 3 in 5 TCC students graduate debt free. And we have dreams to make that 5 out of 5 students. We’d like to see all students stay local and get jobs with no educational debt. That would be a massive community achievement and a level of public-private engagement that moves the needle for our citizens’ success.”

The donation will be paid over five years beginning in 2023.