Monday, February 10, 2025

Local family honors late son’s legacy with CFCC culinary arts scholarships

Bernard Brunson, right, presents CFCC Foundation executive director Logan Thompson a $10,000 check to support two scholarships annually in honor of Darius Brunson. (Courtesy CFCC)

WILMINGTON — A new scholarship fund for the community college’s culinary arts program was recently established by a local family.

The Brunson Family created the Darius R. Brunson Memorial Scholarship Fund for Cape Fear Community College, in honor of their son who lost his battle to leukemia in December 2022.

Darius had a passion for culinary arts and giving back to the community.

“Some people enter our lives for a second or a short period, and that’s OK,” Bernard Brunson, Darius’ father, said in a press release. “Then there are those who come into your life for a lifetime, whose legacy will always live on, and that is our Darius. I always taught him to focus on the people that are there for the good, bad, and the ugly, the ones that are always there for you. We started the Darius R. Brunson Memorial Scholarship to continue our son’s legacy and be there for students pursuing his passion of cooking.”

Through various fundraisers, including a community yard sale, Darius’ family and friends have raised more than $10,000 to help aspiring chefs achieve their dreams. A $500 scholarship will be awarded to two CFCC students annually. Eligible students must be enrolled in CFCC’s culinary arts program and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

“The Cape Fear Community College Foundation is grateful for the generosity of the Brunson Family,” CFCC Foundation executive director Logan Thompson said in the release. “Their decision to establish a scholarship fund for Culinary Arts students will aid in breaking down barriers for their students in their pursuit of culinary excellence, something that was deeply important to their son. This scholarship will ensure that his memory lives in the kitchens and hearts of those who share his love for food.”


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