The Northern New York Community Foundation is giving $30,000 in yearly scholarships to St. Lawrence County students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) fields.

The Evergreen STEM Scholarship Fund, in partnership with Massena and Gouverneur residents Charles and Higouhi Owens will be administered by the foundation in perpetuity in collaboration with representatives from school districts throughout St. Lawrence County.

“The new scholarship, made possible by the generosity of two very committed and caring lifelong St. Lawrence County residents, will go a long way to help inspire and encourage students from that area to consider various career options in the STEM fields. It is an honor for the Community Foundation to be part of facilitating something Mr. & Mrs. Owens feel very passionate about, and is a way that many, many lives and futures will be affected for generations to come,” said Rande S. Richardson, foundation executive director.

“We have lived all of our lives in St. Lawrence County, and we find this a meaningful way to share our success with our friends and neighbors throughout the region,” Mr. and Higouhi Owens said. “We would hope that this scholarship will help inspire high school graduates to consider the opportunities available through a career in the STEM areas. We believe this is important for the future long-term health, vitality and leadership for our community and our country and its efforts to excel in innovation, discovery and productivity.”

Charles Owens spent his career as a pharmacist and later in management for Kinney Drugs, retiring in 1994.

The first scholarships will be awarded in May. The foundation will make applications available in early 2016 and will coordinate efforts to promote the scholarship with each school district in St. Lawrence County.