22 Graduating Seniors Receive Scholarships from Truliant Foundation
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (September 2, 2025) – The Truliant Foundation announced today its college scholarship winners for the Fall of 2025. All are first-time college students, high school seniors who will be enrolled in an accredited college, community college, or university, and are members of Truliant Federal Credit Union.
The Truliant Foundation manages the scholarship program, which supports the credit union’s commitment to community and giving back.
“As students get back into the swing of school, we would like to wish our class of 2025 Truliant Foundation Scholarship winners a great year ahead. We take pride in what they have accomplished,” said Atticus Simpson, executive director of the Truliant Foundation. “Our hope is that this investment in their education allows them to focus more fully on achievement in the classroom and creates new opportunities for their success.”
The majority of the students were given a Fred J. Sarda Scholarship for $2,000. Each year, one dependent of a Truliant employee is given the Clyde Padgett Scholarship for $2,500. Two scholarships were provided by the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation in partnership with the Truliant Foundation.
Fred J. Sarda Winner, $2,000:
- Niketh Vengala, North Carolina State University
- Nyssa West, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Addison Durst, High Point University
- Annabel Hopkins, University of South Florida
- Cassie Woodall, University of Central Florida
- Charlie Haynes, University of South Carolina
- Christopher Joshua Corona-Plancarte, Cornell University
- Davis Hamby, Roanoke College
- Jeremiah Harper, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Laken Faith Sexton, Liberty University
- Landry Gray, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Owen Bandy, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Reese Elliott, Western Piedmont Community College
- Ryan Pack, Appalachian State University
- Smriti Verma, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Taj Johnson, University of North Carolina at Wilmington
- Trevor Viera, Bob Jones University
- Victoria Cox, Lander University
- Zyire Murphy, Fayetteville State University
- Luke Barron, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- Ethan Scharf, South Piedmont Community College
- Josie Crum, Virginia Tech University
The Truliant scholarships are named after two important people in Truliant’s history. Fred Sarda was a section chief at Western Electric and led a group of employees to form a financial co-op to benefit workers in 1952. That co-op eventually became Truliant Federal Credit Union. Clyde Padgett was chairman of Truliant’s board for 17 years. He retired from the board in 2003.
About The Truliant Foundation
Established in 2023, the Truliant Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity with a purpose to lift up and transform Truliant member communities through charitable giving, collaboration, and meaningful partnerships. The Foundation strives to be a catalyst for growth for established nonprofits seeking the support and guidance they need to flourish and spark positive change in their communities. The Foundation also provides college scholarships to Truliant members and relief funds to Truliant employees facing unforeseen personal hardships. Learn more or donate at Truliant.org/Foundation.
Truliant is a mission-driven, not-for-profit financial institution that improves lives by providing great service and straightforward financial solutions. Truliant was chartered in 1952 and now serves 354,000+ members. Truliant has more than 35 Member Financial Centers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Heath Combs
[email protected]
(o) 336-293-2054 (c) 336-442-5736
