Students express thanks
Posted by The Skyliner on September 24th, 2008Jennilyn Dempsey
News & Features Editor
Scholarship donors met with 31 North Greenville University students at the ninth annual Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon in Hayes Ministry Center on Founder’s Day, Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Dr. Richard Blackaby, president of Blackaby Ministries International and son of author Dr. Henry Blackaby, was the guest speaker at the Appreciation Luncheon. He expressed excitement about seeing God’s plans being carried out at North Greenville.
“[The donors] really enjoyed Dr. Blackaby. Some of the donors attended chapel and were really excited to hear Dr. Blackaby speak again at the luncheon. They had a good time talking to the students. They always enjoy talking to the students most,” said LaVerne Howell, NGU’s associate director for public relations.
Amber Trapp, freshman psychology, and Windell Rodgers, senior Christian studies, expressed their appreciation through testimonies. They shared how they have benefitted from scholarships and how they plan to use their education to glorify God.
The NGU Singers contributed to the thankful atmosphere by singing “All That Hath Life and Breath” and “Bless the Lord, O My Soul” at the event.
Howell explained that the donors have established an endowment that totals approximately $12 million. North Greenville invests the money and then uses the annual interest earned from the endowment to award scholarship money. Some of the scholarships were founded years ago by donors’ parents or grandparents.
Donors may grant scholarships to one student or to many, depending on the amount of interest their individual endowment earns. They also may set standards a student must meet before receiving a scholarship.
“The students receiving the scholarships are needy students who meet the criteria set by the guidelines of the scholarship. Some scholarships require that the student be majoring in music, education, Christian studies, etc. Some scholarships require the student to be a member of a church in a specific Baptist association,” Howell said.
Students express their thanks to the donors by writing thank-you notes at the beginning of the year and by meeting with them at the Appreciation Luncheon.
“If it was not for the ministry scholarship that I have received, I would not have been able to come to North Greenville. I was really excited to find out that I was able to receive help from the donors,” said Karrie Ann Lipscomd, freshman undecided.
*additional information provided by Leasy Sandal.
Tags: Fall 2008, Vol. 108 Fall - Issue 3