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“Tricia would have never thought she could have this impact,” says Karen Melton ’87, ’90 MBA of her sister, Patricia “Tricia” Melton ’87, ’04 M.A. “She would never have dreamt to have a scholarship to help her kids.”
After Tricia’s passing in 2020, Karen established the Tricia Melton Upward Bound Students Scholarship. The scholarship is for high school students of disadvantaged backgrounds enrolled in the TRIO Upward Bound college preparatory program. It supports these students to be able to continue their education at Baldwin Wallace University where Tricia worked closely with the students as the BW Student Development Specialist.
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Karen and Tricia Melton Tricia Melton
“Tricia loved working with the students at a time in their lives where she knew she could make a difference,” says Karen.
In her role at BW, Tricia would help recruit 8th or 9th-grade students from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District who had the potential to be first-generation college students. She would meet with them weekly at their school during study hall to keep them on track with classwork and homework. During the summer months, she was in charge of the Upward Bound Summer Program in which the students lived on the BW campus while taking classes. During Spring Break, Tricia would organize a bus trip for junior and senior students enrolled in the program to visit potential colleges.
Karen, former Vice President of Finance and Human Resources for Kaufman Container Company in Cleveland, would often be tapped by Tricia to talk with the students about budgeting, basic financial planning, dressing for an interview and other topics.
Through her role, Tricia was able to share her love of BW with her students.
“BW was where she earned her college degrees and where she made life-long friendships,” says Karen. “She greatly enjoyed the faculty and staff, especially President Malicky.”
In working with the students, Tricia developed a rapport that most adults don’t have, adds Karen.
“They called her mom,” says Karen of the students and her sister considered them “her kids.”
The choice to establish a scholarship for the students was a great way to honor Tricia’s memory and continue her relationship with BW forever.
“As a teacher or person in the social services area, Tricia never made a large salary, but she was always finding ways to help others, especially her ‘non-biological kids,’ says Karen. “By establishing this scholarship in her honor, she will continue to help her ‘kids’ achieve their goals and aspirations, even those she will never have the opportunity to meet.”
To support Upward Bound students at BW, please donate here.
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