EDMSSA Scholarship

Deborah "Debbie" Lynn Parker was born on September 24, 1956 in Salisbury, Maryland. She departed this life on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 after a bravely fought battle with breast cancer. Debbie was a 1974 graduate of James M. Bennett High School, and she also attended Salisbury University. She lived in Salisbury, MD all her life. After high school she married her childhood sweetheart, Geoff Parker. They had two children, Matthew and Lindsey. She enjoyed her life on the Eastern Shore and loved going to the beach, camping and skiing with her family. Debbie and her family always looked forward to going to her parent’s house, Harry and Barbara White for Sunday dinners. She was very family oriented. Debbie was devoted to the children of the Lower Shore Special Olympics. She was on the board of directors for Women Supporting Women of Salisbury, a breast cancer support group and was an active member of Soroptomist Club of Salisbury.

She was the Business Manager at Caldabaugh Communications for 17 years and as a result became a close friend of the Caldabaugh family. She started attending the EDMSSA meetings for our company and her networking with other MSS shops was a great source of information for the business. Several years ago, when the EDMSSA attendance was down and we were trying to figure out which direction the association needed to go, she was a driving force on not dissolving the association. She loved and believed that the organization was a big asset to the MSS community, and became the secretary for EDMSSA in October, 2000. She focused a lot of energy in getting shops to attend the meetings and helped to strengthen the communication links with everyone involved.

She will be extremely missed by all, not only our company, but also in the MSS community. To help keep her memory alive, a scholarship fund has been established and all contributions are appreciated. They can be sent to the EDMSSA Treasurer, Natalie Bartlett at 2 Way Communications 23 River RD Newington NH 03801.

Criteria for Selection

The purpose of this Memorial Scholarship is to provide an opportunity for others who have an interest in wireless communications technology so that they may contribute to the continued growth and development of communication systems that service the needs of the EDMSSA or USMSS community.

The EDMSSA Scholarship will be awarded on a combined basis of need and scholastic achievement. The applicant must be planning to pursue an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in electronic technology or computer science, leading to a career in wireless or data communications. The enrollment status can be part-time or full time students, but the student must maintain a 3.0 GPA minimum.

Applications must be received by March 31st of each year. The winner will be selected the following May.

If for any reason the scholarship recipient can not, or does not, accept the awarded scholarship, the runner-up may be eligible for the scholarship.