As we begin a new academic year, we’re reminded that every student has a unique story, and for many, the path to a college degree comes with significant challenges and obstacles.

For years, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars has supported students who demonstrated perseverance through the Jim Duncan Award for Perseverance Scholarship.

Through the generosity of our supporters, including you, we have helped nearly 30 students continue pursuing their educational goals.

Recently, we had the opportunity to connect with Laura Taddeucci Downs, who knew Jim and was familiar with the scholarship. Inspired by Jim’s legacy, Laura made a generous gift to launch a follow-up fundraising campaign. We are incredibly grateful for Laura’s generosity and excited to continue impacting students through this award.

Please consider making a gift today and help us continue Jim’s legacy of perseverance.

Here are a few of the inspiring students awarded this scholarship:

Thank you, NSCS Board, for your generous support in helping me with my studies. Words cannot describe my excitement and gratitude to be chosen as a scholarship recipient. With the Jim Duncan Award for Perseverance, I will finish my last year of college and continue my studies to pursue my passion for business and operations. But, more importantly, I am one step closer to starting my leadership career post-college. I will strive both in academics and career to live up to Jim Duncan's legacy, and I hope to encourage others to persevere and be resilient in the face of challenges.
Helene Co, University of California Riverside

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to NSCS and all who have funded the Jim Duncan Award for Perseverance. I am honored to be chosen as a recipient of this award. This scholarship will lighten the financial burden of going to college, allowing me to concentrate more of my time on learning and pursuing my dreams of becoming an aerospace engineer and astronaut. Your generosity has inspired me to continue giving back to the community and to share the importance of perseverance with others. Thank you!
Diana Sears, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Thank you for selecting me as a recipient for the Jim Duncan Award for Perseverance, I am very honored and humbled to have been selected. This generous scholarship will help me to achieve my live long dream of becoming a nurse. Nursing, by itself, is a rigorous and stressful program but the financial worries add in a whole other dimension… this scholarship will go a long way in relieving the added worry of mounting debt. I have worked hard through many medical struggles to be where I am today and your support and belief in me means the world… Thank you.
Asia Werner, University of Cincinnati

I am incredibly grateful to be a recipient of the Jim Duncan Award for Perseverance. This scholarship will help me to be able to continue my education and ease the financial burden during these challenging and uncertain times. I hope to honor Jim Duncan's legacy by continuing to beat the odds and completing my degree at Robert Morris University. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my continued efforts to pursue an education.
Shannon Davis, Robert Morris University

Being awarded the Jim Duncan Award for Perseverance means so much to me. College is a way for me to learn, and I have learned that traumatic situations do not have to become who we are. We are allowed to choose who we become. Attending college allowed me to step away from my illness and become a better version of myself. The Jim Duncan Scholarship has allowed me to use my voice to bring awareness, write about my experience, and continue to succeed in college. I am grateful that the Jim Duncan scholarship exists to highlight how individual's overcome obstacles, and that NSCS allowed me to find resources to help me succeed.
Kambri Jeffers, Weber State University

The kindness and generosity of both NSCS and Jim Duncan have helped to make dreams which I once thought were impossible, possible. Because of this award, I am one step closer to pursuing my passion for classical ballet and French language through a study abroad program in Aix-en-Provence, France. I am very grateful to be offered such a wonderful opportunity, and I look forward to many more years of education, exploration, and personal growth in the future.
Sarah Golzari, Winthrop University

NSCS lost a legacy on October 20, 2018. James C. Duncan joined NSCS during the 1995 spring semester at the George Washington University and continued working with NSCS until 2009. Jim always went above and beyond, and he did everything with an incredible spirit of generosity, care, and humor.

At 16, Jim was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and not given much time to live. He beat cancer, but with that victory came many other difficulties that he bravely tackled.

NSCS will continue to embrace his legacy by awarding members, like Jim, beat the odds and embraced the difficult challenges, with the Jim Duncan Award for Perseverance.

Support the Jim Duncan Award for Perserverance