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Good deeds are certainly contagious at Reinhardt College. A
scholarship established in January 2007 to benefit students
whose families are impacted by tragedy has already been awarded
to three families. And Reinhardt President Dr. J. Thomas
Isherwood is inviting the community to support the scholarship
so its impact can be even more widespread.
Support a
New Giving Opportunity
“This scholarship represents a new giving opportunity
at Reinhardt,” Isherwood said. “Many of us feel a sense of
calling to help those around us, but we aren’t sure how. Too
many young people have their lives disrupted by family tragedy.
While we know we can never replace the loss of a loved one, we
can promise that they will never be alone. This new scholarship
allows the community to give and know that a student who truly
needs help will benefit from their generosity.”
The new scholarship was established in January 2007; the
first recipients announced were Missy Tipton and Faith Smith,
the daughters of Faith Tipton-Smith whose family will be
featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Sunday, March 14.
This family had suffered multiple tragedies, including losing a
son in a car accident. Another family, the Yurewiches of
Waleska, Ga., also lost a son in the accident. The mother of
the family, Elaine Yurewich, has worked in the Reinhardt
bookstore for many, many years. President Isherwood decided to
extend scholarship assistance to her family.
Three
Families Already Being Helped
Tipton-Smith found out about the scholarships on
Friday, Jan. 19, after the Extreme Makeover cameras had stopped
rolling so the announcement is not expected to be part of the
ABC show. She broke into tears and an ear-to-ear smile as
Isherwood said her two daughters had been offered full tuition
scholarships to Reinhardt. As she wiped her eyes, she said,
“Thank you so very much for these scholarships. Oh, I’ll be able
to keep my girls close to home. This is so wonderful!”
A current student from Marietta, Ga., is
also getting assistance from the new scholarship. JoEllen
Wilson, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External
Affairs, spoke of the difference this assistance has meant.
Glad
'Good Samaritans' Have Come Forward
“This help has gone to a most deserving young lady:
she works hard on her classes and activities, and in addition to
working on campus, she picks up odd jobs like babysitting to
help pay her way at Reinhardt,” Wilson said. “When her mother
began having heart problems, it looked like she might have to
leave Reinhardt, but this new fund has given her the extra help
she needs. I’m so glad ‘Good Samaritans’ in the community have
come forward and I hope to work with many more.”
Wilson, in charge of bringing in gifts for
the new scholarship, kicked off a campaign among the Reinhardt
faculty and staff this week. “These people are the ones closest
to our students, and they can see first hand how their gifts can
make a difference. Waleska United Methodist Church has taken an
offering for the scholarship, and Dr. Isherwood has talked with
several local churches about getting their support.”
How to Give
Those wanting to give to the Alex Yurewich and Ransom
Tipton Memorial Scholarship Fund, can mail a check to Reinhardt
or can give through the
College website. |
