Riley Foundation salutes scholars
The Riley Foundation Scholars Program, currently in its second year, is continuing The Riley Foundation’s commitment to education by enabling more aspiring students to pursue their dreams of a college degree. Adding 10 new scholars to the 2015-2016 class of recipients, the program now provides awards for 20 talented MSU-Meridian students.
The competitive Riley Scholars Program provides two-year scholarships worth $2,500 each per academic year to 10 recipients. Eligible students must have completed at least two years of study at a local community college with a grade-point average of 3.25 or higher (based on a 4.0 scale), as well as provide an essay and personal statement with their application.
The 2015-2016 class of Riley Scholars includes (by hometown):
CANTON-- Jonathan D. Brown, a junior secondary education major and graduate of East Central Community College.
COLLINSVILLE-- Stephanie L. Motes, a senior elementary education major and graduate of Meridian Community College.
DEKALB-- Kasi R. McIntosh, a senior psychology major and graduate of Meridian Community College; and Morgan O. McMahon, a junior kinesiology major and graduate of East Mississippi Community College.
FOREST-- Constance N. Perkins, a junior elementary education major who attended East Central Community College.
MERIDIAN-- Ashley H. Godwin, a senior elementary education major who attended Meridian Community College; Lauren M. Kiefer, a senior elementary education major; Shenekia T. Jenkins, a senior accounting major; and Karen E. Knight, a junior secondary education major, all graduates of Meridian Community College; and Rachel H. Laird, a junior secondary education major who attended East Central Community College.
NEWTON-- Trevor W. Ayllon, a senior kinesiology major; and Tracie M. Buckley, a senior secondary education major, both graduates of East Central Community College.
QUITMAN-- Luiza D. Dobbins, a senior accounting major and graduate of Meridian Community College; and Hannah E. Harlan, a senior criminology major and graduate of Jones County Junior College.
UNION-- Tiffany G. Dorman and Erika C. Germany, both senior elementary education majors; and Taylor T. Harrison, a senior secondary education major, all graduates of East Central Community College; Kristien H. Long, a senior elementary education major who attended East Central Community College; and Kelly M. Williamson, a senior secondary education major and graduate of Meridian Community College.
WALNUT GROVE-- Brandi N. Goss, a junior social work major and graduate of Meridian Community College.
Chartered in 1998, The Riley Foundation works to improve the quality of life for Meridian and Lauderdale County citizens through charitable grants. Its partnership with MSU-Meridian has led to many advancements including the development of the MSU Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts, the I. Alfred Rosenbaum Building, and the Robert B. Deen Jr. Building, named in honor of the current CEO, board chairman, and founding member of The Riley Foundation.
“I will always be grateful for the opportunity this scholarship has provided to me and my family, and for the legacy that The Riley Foundation has created for this entire community,” said Kiefer.
MSU-Meridian is a non-residential campus that serves students largely in East Mississippi and West Alabama. Its three academic divisions include the Division of Arts and Sciences and the Division of Education at the College Park Campus, both located on State Highway 19 North, and the Division of Business at the Riley Campus downtown.
For more information about establishing scholarships at MSU-Meridian, contact Josh Thompson, director of development, at 601.484.0493 or jthompson@foundation.msstate.edu.
Cutline: Riley Scholars were recognized at a reception by The Riley Foundation board of directors on February 3, 2016, in Meridian. Pictured from left to right: (top row) MSU-Meridian director of development Josh Thompson; Malcolm Portera, foundation vice president, and secretary; foundation board members Wayne Henson, and Tommy Dulaney; Terry Dale Cruse, MSU-Meridian administrative director and head of the campus; (third row) Riley scholar Lauren Kiefer; Becky Farley, foundation board executive director; Marty Davidson, foundation president, and treasurer; foundation board members Mary Ann Riley, Christine Riley; Robert B. Deen Jr., foundation board chairman and CEO; (second row) Riley Scholars Rachel Laird, Karen Knight, Taylor Harrison, Tiffany Dorman, Erika Germany, and Kristien Long, (first row) Jonathan Brown, Trevor Ayllon, Luiza Dobbins, Shenekia Jenkins, Morgan McMahon, Constance Perkins, and Brandi Goss. Not pictured are scholars Tracie Buckley, Ashley Godwin, Hannah Harlan, Kasi McIntosh, Stephanie Motes, and Kelly Williamson.