Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Image by Ryan McGill
This fall, the Walker College Foundation (WCF) distributed more than $250,000 in scholarships to support students in and around Walker County as they pursue higher education during the 2023-24 academic year.
The majority of these scholarships were awarded to students attending the Walker College Campus of Bevill State Community College in Jasper. These recipients include 43 WCF Scholars’ Society members who are pursuing academic transfer, health science, or career technical education degrees.
The 2023-24 WCF Scholars’ Society members are: Robert “Stone” Bevill, Allie Bull, Lisa Sanchez Siquina, Alanna Wingo, Ashton Prescott, Emma Harrison, Mari Sullivan, Lauren Goforth, Kieren Pruitt, Faith McDaniel, Hannah Lyle, Kylie Jackson, Payton Outlaw, Katelyn Mix, Akiah Hagler, Eli Morgan, Katie Halbrook, Brandon Keeton, John Tyler Prather, Noah Morrison, Gracie Trotter, Shayna Woods, Lillian Stone, Callie Kennedy, Abby Connell, Riley Tolbert, Karoline Bishop, Lilly Shaw, Chance Martin, Lizabeth Barnett, Kaytlyn Hopper, Jessica Miller, Johnny JR Dunagan, Justin Vo, Emma Light, Raegan Dunagan, Callie Harris, Lauren Brand, Ivie Gibbons, Kristen Norris, Crystal Odom, Bryson Prince, and Jenna Johnson.
These scholarships, valued at $11,000 for a two-year program, encompass more than financial aid. Scholars benefit from peer mentors, monthly lunches, access to tutoring, and monthly soft skills training sessions, equipping them for future employment.
Students entering the Associate Degree Nursing program at Bevill State in their first year receive an extended scholarship worth $13,000, covering the necessary coursework to earn their nursing degree.
Upon graduation, Scholars’ Society members continuing their education at four-year institutions receive transfer scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, further facilitating their educational journey.
In collaboration with Drummond Company, Inc., WCF supports high school seniors seeking higher education. For the 2023-24 academic year, five students were recipients of Drummond Company scholarships managed by the Walker College Foundation.
Founded in 1994 under the visionary leadership of Dr. David Rowland, the Walker College Foundation has amassed an endowment exceeding $15 million. This, coupled with generous annual scholarships from individuals, families, and local businesses, ensures that higher education remains accessible to all residents, fostering community development and empowering individuals to create brighter futures. WL
