As a chemist, pharmacist, and lifelong learner, Cyrelle knows the power of education to open doors, and she’s made it her mission to open those doors for others.

Cyrelle began her career in the sciences, earning degrees in chemistry and pharmacy before joining the American Chemical Society in 1981. There, she developed continuing education programs and embraced new technologies, from programming to database design. To keep learning, she enrolled in classes at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), supported by her employer. “I always valued education,” Cyrelle says, “and NOVA offered practical, accessible learning, right when I needed it.”

After retirement, her connection to NOVA only deepened. With more time to pursue her interests, she returned to campus to audit classes in French and art, drawn by a love of language and culture. One day in a French class, a professor mentioned the college’s endowed scholarships. The idea stuck with her.

Years later, Cyrelle put that inspiration into action. Using qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from her retirement savings, an option that allows donors over 70 1⁄2 to give tax-free from their IRAs, she created scholarships at both NOVA and the American Chemical Society. “Giving this way just made sense,” Cyrelle explains. “You don’t need to be wealthy to start a scholarship. You can build it over time, and it will grow to support students year after year.” Her scholarships focus on students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math, fields she knows firsthand can change lives. The first recipients of her scholarships are already benefiting from her generosity.

Here’s what one of her scholars, Julian, said upon receiving the scholarship:

“I want to express my sincerest gratitude for the opportunity you’ve given me through this scholarship. As poverty continues to affect many households across the U.S.—mine included—and as the cost of higher education rises, it is because of heroes like you that I’m able to continue my academic journey without the constant worry of how I will afford it. Your donation doesn’t just benefit me, it fuels the hopes of my entire family. I am on track to become the first college-educated member of my family. I will live up to the trust and expectations you’ve placed in me as the recipient of this award.”

“I hope they find the same joy and fulfillment in learning that I did,” she says. “Education is one of the few things that benefits everyone. Helping someone learn is one of the best investments you can make.”

Cyrelle’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to learn, and never too early, or too small, to give. With every class she took and every dollar she donated, she helped shape a stronger, smarter future.

To empower bright futures for students like Julian, please click here.

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