McNAIR FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

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Congratulations to Alyssa Swords - 2024 McNair Family Scholarship Winner

Alyssa Swords, Loan Processor/Customer Service Representative, Bank of Edison, has been selected as the first-place recipient of the 2024 McNair Family Scholarship.  Ms. Swords is enrolled at Albany Technical College, where she is pursuing a degree in accounting.  

The McNair Family Scholarship recognizes and honors the achievements of Nicholas (Nick) R. Cimino. The scholarship is awarded once per year to an adult learner who is currently employed at a Georgia community bank and plans to work towards an associate, bachelor, or trade degree. An adult learner is someone two years removed from high school and working at least 25 hours per week at a Georgia community bank. The award is for $1,000.00 and is designed to offset student expenses (tuition, study materials, and expenses). 

“This year’s applicants exhibit the dedication, and perseverance needed to complete educational objectives while working,” said John McNair, President & CEO, Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA). “It is an honor for the McNair family to have the opportunity to assist Alyssa in her journey.”  

What is the McNair Family Scholarship?

The McNair Family Scholarship recognizes and honors the achievements of Nicholas (Nick) R. Cimino. The scholarship will be awarded once per year to an adult learner who is currently employed at a Georgia community bank and plans to work towards an associate, bachelors, or trade degree. An adult learner is someone two years removed from high school and working at least 25 hours per week at a Georgia community bank. The award is for $1,000.00 and will be paid directly to the institution of higher learning to offset student expenses (tuition, study materials, and expenses).

Nick Cimino was born in 1936 and lost his father at an early age. The youngest of two children, Nick was required to go to work after school to help support his mother and older sister- who were also working. When Nick graduated high school, funding for college was unavailable. A naturally talented artist, Nick took a job as a graphic designer and worked until he was drafted by the Army. After an honorable discharge (1961), Nick went back to work in graphic design. He later decided to use the G.I. bill to obtain further education and make a career change. In 1964, Nick enrolled in night school to pursue a college degree. The following year, he married the former Maryann Costaldo. Nick and Maryann started their family with the birth of Lisa (Cimino) McNair and two additional children followed. The endeavor to balance work, family and school was a challenge but perseverance prevailed. After eight years of night school, Nick graduated in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from LaSalle University (Philadelphia, PA).

Nick went on to have a successful career in sales and marketing with AMP Incorporated and retired in 2000 as a Global Account Director for the Consumer Appliance Division. During his tenure, Nick achieved many awards including AMP’s U.S. Marketing Manager of the Year (1987) and the U.S. Sales & Marketing President’s Excellence Club (1996). Nick and Maryann are comfortably retired, have three adult children, and three beautiful granddaughters.

If you have questions regarding the scholarship, please contact Lindsay Greene, 770-541-0376.

Alyssa Swords Press Release

2024 MCNAIR FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION