ECM Insurance Group’s Support Grows ACM's Early College Program 90% in Four Years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ECM, ACM Early College students group

Front row: Mackenna Adams (Bedford), Jacquelyn Raymond (Bedford), Aiden Wadel (NBC), Jeff Whetstone (ECM Director), Faith Gutshall (ACM), Reaghan Grimes (NBC), Lauryle Ayers (Tussey Mountain), Alyssa Horton (Tussey Mountain), Allison Leader (Everett), and Matthew Feight (Everett). Rachel Bithell (NBC), Larry Weber (ECM Director), Mike Degenhart (ECM Director), Pat Sharbaugh (ECM Director), Randy Shaw (ECM President/CEO), Luke Johnston (Tussey Mountain), Bette Slayton (ECM Director), and Ashton George (ACM). 

 

EVERETT, Pa.—July 26, 2024— “Gratitude” is one of the first words Allegany College of Maryland’s Leah Pepple uses to describe how she feels about the Everett Cash Mutual (ECM) Insurance Group and its leaders. The ECM Insurance Group will make a $500,000 Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation—its fifth consecutive EITC gift—to help regional high school students. Funding received through ECM Insurance Group for the 2024-2025 academic year benefits early college students living in any of the Bedford and Fulton County school districts as well as the Claysburg-Kimmel, Spring Cove, Williamsburg and Fannett-Metal school districts.  

Since the 2020-21 academic year, ECM Insurance Group has made it possible for 1,400 unduplicated high school students to take early college courses through the Allegany College of Maryland (ACM). This is a 90% increase in the number of ACM early college students since the 2019-2020 academic year.  

“Their generous investment opens doors of educational opportunity for so many students in our area,” said Pepple, who is Allegany College of Maryland’s director of PA Advancement and Community. “The lives of these students have been blessed by ECM Insurance Group’s amazing support and their education journeys are forever changed.”  

Early college students will receive funding to cover the cost of tuition and fees for a maximum of six credits during both the fall and spring semesters. Through the generosity of other EITC donors, textbooks will also be provided. All donations are received by the Bedford County Regional Education Foundation, which supports the ACM Bedford County Campus in Everett.  

Meaningful Growth  
ECM Insurance Group’s EITC donations continue to grow opportunities for students. For example, 420 unduplicated early college students took 3,513 college credits during the last academic year—13.6% more students than the prior academic year. For Pepple, percentages are only part of the story; a difference of 52 students in one academic year shows students’ earlier interest in higher education. 

That interest in post-secondary education can have ripple effects across communities and families. Autumn Becker, a recent Bedford High School graduate, explained how the gift of early college courses inspires her to give back. “Thank you for putting effort into helping the next generation get a successful start. Hopefully, we can all give back in the future when we start our careers. I know for a fact that I want to work in the community that supports my college education,” said Becker.

A 2024 Southern Fulton High School graduate shared that early college classes gave them the confidence to enroll at ACM in the fall. According to Pepple, that student plans to be the first in their family to graduate from college. 

Jacquelyn Raymond, another 2024 Bedford High School graduate who benefited from the ECM Insurance Group’s support, also plans to attend the Allegany College of Maryland Bedford County Campus this fall. Raymond, who earned 12 early college credits, chose to continue her college career with ACM because of its affordability and its convenient location. As a business administration major, she’ll have the chance to gain credits towards future studies while earning an associate degree. “I wasn’t sure about my college plans and where to go. But because ACM is local, I can work towards my plan for a career in international public relations or international business,” said Raymond. With 12 ACM credits, she’ll be nearly a semester ahead of first-year students who didn’t take early college classes. “It’s more affordable to stay at ACM,” she added.  

Heartfelt Appreciation 
The 2024-2025 ECM Insurance Group EITC donation is given in honor of Kenneth C. Stover. For 50 years, Stover served on its board of directors. He played a leading role in ECM Insurance Group’s decision to begin making EITC donations to the Bedford County Regional Education Foundation and expand higher education access to local high school students. His vision, support and commitment changed students’ lives through education.  

Allegany College of Maryland Bedford County Campus and the Bedford Regional Education Foundation hosted an Early College Appreciation Reception this spring to thank ECM Insurance Group leadership and staff and other early college contributors. The reception gave early college students like Jacquelyn Raymond the chance to meet their supporters.

Connect with ACM 
Information about the Bedford County Regional Education Foundation is available by calling 814-652-9528, ext. 6223, or emailing Leah Pepple. For more information about ACM’s early college program, visit www.allegany.edu/early-college or call Tina Kravets at 814-652-9528, ext. 6202.  

About Allegany College of Maryland   
Allegany College of Maryland is a small, learner-focused college offering 48 associate degrees, 31 certificates, 10 letters of recognition, noncredit workforce development programs, personal enrichment classes, and adult education and literacy services. More than 3,100 credit and 7,000 noncredit students choose ACM each year. 

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