RICHMOND — Ann F. Brown, chair of the scholarship committee of the Virginia Baptist Foundation, announced 53 scholarship recipients totaling $101,000 during the second annual Scholarship Recognition Service held May 31, at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center.
“It is an inspiration to learn what these individuals are doing and the ways they plan to utilize their degrees and educations,” Brown said. The recipients were chosen from a pool of 95 applicants representing 63 Baptist General Association of Virginia churches, 28 of 42 district associations, 40 academic institutions and 44 academic majors.
“We are exceedingly proud of these scholars,” said Ronald C. Hall, president of the Foundation. “Our selection process seeks to discern and affirm the best of the best among the youth and leaders in our churches today. I too am thankful to our donors who have stepped up to the plate to provide the financial support that enables us to reach this significant award milestone.”
Four years ago the Foundation awarded $27,000 in scholarships.
The 2009-2010 Virginia Baptist Foundation scholarship recipients are (asterisk denotes a graduate student):
Carter E. Bearden, III, Glen Allen*
Eric T. Black, Galax*
Jennifer M. Carter, Richmond*
Alice C. Cates, Richmond*
Elizabeth C. Chassey, Farmville
Hai Yan Chen, Marion
Katy Rose Cline, Harrisonburg
Anne Penn Cox, Danville
Joshua W. Cruse, Fredericksburg
Angela H. Deeds, Lynchburg
Rebecca E. Downs, Deltaville
Annamarie R. Elmore, Petersburg*
Amanda L. George, Suffolk
Jessica M. Goforth, Fredericksburg*
Megan A. Grizzard, Henrico County
Amber N. Hare, Victoria
Kyle Ray Harris, Ridgeway
Michael T. Heffington, Suffolk
Lauren E. Heilman, Sandston
Linsey E. Jenkins, Kenbridge
Christina M. Jewell, Verona
Matthew T. Jewell, Farnham
William H. Joyce, Farnham
Joshua M. King, Spotsylvania
Anita C. Lafoon, Richmond*
Robert L. Martin, Glen Allen
Ashley S. McHaney, Gladys
Amanda B. McMillian, Collinsville
Nancy B. Moore, Ivor*
Michelle A. Nieporte, Richmond
John L. Overstreet, Vinton
Tanya L. Parks, Kenbridge*
Mattie M. Patterson, Sedley*
Jennifer A. Reams, Richmond
Matthew D. Roberts, Emporia*
Courtney L. Robertson, Dry Fork
Matthew R. Robinson, Yorktown
Olivia R. Robison, Richmond
Erin R. Rourke, Mechanicsville*
Leah C. Schubel, Fredericksburg
Amy B. Scott, Roanoke
Brennan B. Scott, Roanoke
Lauren A. Simpkins, St. Stephens Church
Kyle C. Smith, Fredericksburg
Lauren E. Stanley, Vesuvius
Phillip L. Stanley, Vesuvius
Kristen M. Taylor, Glen Allen*
Caleb A. Vass, Floyd
Lori E. Veorse, Hustle
Joel K. Wallace, Virginia Beach
Jeffrey A. Withers, Warsaw*
Kimberley A. White, Deltaville
Jennifer L. Woodruff, Mechanicsville
Numbered among the recipients are the Foundation’s Legacy Scholars, named for their academic achievement and service excellence. These include the Starkey Alex & Edna C. Evans Scholar (Erin R. Rourke, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond); the Jesse G. & Irma T. Owen Scholars (Alice C. Cates, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond; Tanya L. Parks, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, and Matthew D. Roberts, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond); the Ken McFarlane Smith Scholar (Jennifer M. Carter, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University), and the Harry Leland Snead Scholars (Hai Yen Chen, Emory & Henry College and Ashley S. McHaney, Lynchburg College).
E. Stuart Crow, chairman of the Foundation’s board of trustees, stated, “The recipients have sound academic records but more importantly have expressed their passion to prepare themselves for the future.”
The scholarship recipients represent a myriad of educational institutions, including Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, B.H. Carroll Theological Institute, Bluefield College, Bridgewater College, Carson-Newman College, Christopher Newport University, College of William & Mary, Drury University, Emory & Henry College, James Madison University, Liberty University, Longwood University, Lynchburg College, Mary Baldwin College, Meredith College, Ouachita Baptist University, Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, Randolph-Macon College, Roanoke College, Shenandoah University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, University of Mary Washington, University of South Carolina, University of Virginia, University of Virginia at Wise, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Military Institute and Virginia Tech.
Scholarship applications for the 2010-2011 academic years will be available on the Foundation’s website (vbfinc.org) beginning Jan. 1, 2010. Visit the website to view a PowerPoint presentation of this year’s scholarship recipients.