When Opportunity Knocks, Doors Open

It's the stories that stay with you.  Stories of hope.  Stories that inspire.  Stories of people who have faced trauma, abuse, or neglect; disease, disability or loss.  Stories of people who, despite the odds, have made the grades for college - but can't afford the price tag.  

That's where GlaxoSmithKline's Opportunity Scholarship program comes in.

Now in its 21^st year, Opportunity Scholarships are awarded to North Carolinians who have demonstrated the potential to improve their lives - and the lives of others - after overcoming significant adversity.

Yesterday, GSK and the Triangle Community Foundation presented scholarships to six NC residents ready to move beyond their pasts.  North America Pharmaceuticals President, Deirdre Connelly, presented awards to Alisha Robinson and Theresa Hamilton of Raleigh, Matthew Barbee of Zebulon, Carmen Khorram of Chapel Hill, Michele Rapp of Wake Forest, and Vivian Doan of Durham.  All are students in the NC university system, pursuing helping professions: nursing, exercise science, psychology, special education and medicine. 

Opportunity Scholarships further GSK's mission of improving lives beyond our medicines.  This year's recipients bring the total number of scholarships awarded to an even 100 - representing more than $612,000 - and we intend to keep the door open to those who deserve the key to a brighter future.