Big Sandy Community & Technical College student is awarded Purple Pansies Scholarship

Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) student Eric Modrovich has been awarded a scholarship from the Purple Pansies Pancreatic Cancer Organization, whose mission is to offer immediate support to individuals and families affected by pancreatic cancer while funding research and clinical trials to conquer it.

The organization provides scholarships to college students who have been impacted by pancreatic cancer on a personal level. For Eric, 26, that was his dad, Ivan Modrovich, who passed away from pancreatic cancer a few days after Eric turned 17.

In his scholarship application, Eric wrote, “I dearly loved my dad and remained very close to him during the last seventeen years of his life.” He said, “If I were to receive this scholarship and its aid, I would, in a way, feel his presence and hand in assisting me in my goal of affording college, since I would get said scholarship for his sake in honor and remembrance of him.” 

Eric said he was “thrilled” to receive the scholarship and hopes it will help raise awareness about pancreatic cancer, which has the highest mortality rate of all cancers.  

Last year, Eric was enrolled in Dr. Mary Wallen’s Writing I and II classes. Wallen said, “Eric is an exceptional young man and a hardworking student.” She added, “In subtle and not-so-subtle ways, Eric’s writings and works, including a digital story, often celebrated his dad. This scholarship is richly deserved.”

Now in his second semester of college, Eric has maintained a 4.0 GPA. After earning the Associate of Arts degree in May 2024, Eric plans to major in performing arts.

Purple Pansies was founded by Maria Fundora who lost her loving mother, Iluminada Milian, to pancreatic cancer in 2007. For more information about the organization, visit www.purplepansies.org.