This scholarship is awarded to a curriculum student at MCC with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher; priority is given to Montgomery County residents, and then to other legal North Carolina residents. This scholarship was established by a gift from the Connellys during the initial MCC Foundation fund drive. Since the passing of Mr. Connelly in 2015, monetary gifts continue to be received by family and friends to the Earle and Jean Connelly Endowment, one of the Montgomery County funds of the North Carolina Community Foundation.