The Cleveland Community College Foundation has received a $34,000 donation from Jolly Good Samaritan Scholarship LLC to establish the Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship, supporting students enrolled in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs at Cleveland Community College.

The gift includes a $30,000 endowed contribution to create the scholarship fund and an additional $4,000 in spendable funds, allowing scholarship awards to begin during the 2026-27 academic year.

The scholarship honors the life and legacy of Mary Elizabeth Jolly, a Cleveland Community College-trained paramedic whose commitment to helping others continues to inspire her family, friends, and colleagues.

Jolly served with Gaston County Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) from 2021 until her death in 2025. Throughout her career, she was recognized for her compassion, professionalism, and dedication to serving others. She was a member of the department’s swift water rescue team and received numerous honors, including Outstanding Paramedic in 2023 and Excellence in Operational Readiness in 2025. In 2026, she was posthumously awarded the Gaston County Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, which has since been renamed the Mary Jolly Distinguished Service Award.

Jolly’s final act reflected the spirit that defined her life. While traveling in Florida, she stopped to assist a driver involved in a motor vehicle accident and suffered fatal injuries while rendering aid.

The scholarship was established by Jolly’s family to ensure her legacy of service continues through future generations of emergency medical professionals.

“Mary’s story is not the tragedy of how her life ended; it is the example of how she chose to live,” the family shared. “She loved being a paramedic and dedicated her life to helping people on what was often their worst day. Through this scholarship, we hope to encourage future EMS professionals to carry that same spirit of service forward.”

The scholarship will provide financial assistance to students enrolled in EMS programs at CCC, with preference given to those pursuing Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and Paramedic credentials. Applicants will be asked to share, through a written statement or video, what caring for others means to them, reflecting the qualities Jolly demonstrated throughout her life and career.

“There are few professions that require the level of courage and compassion demanded of EMS personnel,” said Jason Hurst, president of Cleveland Community College. “Mary Jolly lived those values every day and ultimately gave her life while helping someone else. The Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship is a fitting tribute to her legacy, creating opportunities for future EMS professionals who share her commitment to serving others and our community.”

CCC Foundation Executive Director Grayson Pierce said the scholarship will have a lasting impact on students and the communities they will serve.

“The CCC Foundation is grateful to the Jolly family for their vision and generosity in creating the Jolly Good Samaritan Endowed Scholarship,” Pierce said. “This scholarship not only honors Mary Jolly but also invests in future EMS professionals who will continue the important work of caring for and protecting our communities.”

The scholarship will be administered by the Cleveland Community College Foundation and awarded annually in accordance with Foundation policies and scholarship selection procedures.

About the Cleveland Community College Foundation

The Cleveland Community College Foundation supports the mission of Cleveland Community College by securing and managing resources that enhance educational opportunities, strengthen workforce development, and remove financial barriers for students. Through scholarships, program support, and community partnerships, the Foundation helps students achieve their educational and career goals.