The University of Central Florida announced on April 9 that the Katherine Crock Memorial Fund is helping first-generation students pursue higher education by providing scholarships and financial support. Economics major Ervin Xhemali, one of the inaugural recipients, said he was surprised to find several thousand dollars in his student account and initially thought it was a mistake. “Once I realized it wasn’t a mistake, I was thrilled,” Xhemali said. “I’m financing this entire experience on my own, so every bit helps. That’s money I can now put toward my future.”
The scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers for students who are the first in their families to attend college, allowing them to focus more on their studies and less on economic pressures. For Xhemali, whose family moved between Albania and cities in the United States, balancing work with academics has been a constant challenge.
Raymond Smithberger ’02MBA, chief operating officer at Help at Home and a UCF College of Business alumnus, established the fund in honor of his late mother, Katherine Crock. Smithberger grew up as the oldest of five children in Southeast Ohio and faced similar obstacles as a first-generation college student himself. He credits his mother for encouraging him to pursue education despite financial challenges.
“She was the one who really encouraged me to do things differently,” Smithberger said.
Smithberger created the endowment following his mother’s passing to ensure that other students would have opportunities she never had herself. “She wanted to pursue further education but never had the chance,” Smithberger said. “I feel honored to support other first-generation students in her memory.”
Launched during last year’s UCF Day of Giving event for greater impact and visibility, the fund provides both established and new scholarships so recipients like Xhemali can focus on academics rather than finances.
Xhemali said he hopes someday he will be able to help others just as Smithberger has helped him: “What I do know is that I want to use this scholarship to put me in a position where I can help someone like Mr. Smithberger has helped me.”
