The University of North Georgia Foundation and the Women of UNG hosted the annual Women’s Holiday Scholarship Luncheon recently at the Chattahoochee Country Club in Gainesville and awarded $6,000 in scholarships to eight UNG women for their academic merit.
The scholarship began in 2010 through the work of a small group of female alumni attending the annual event hosted by Dr. Martha T. Nesbitt, former president of Gainesville State College (now a part of UNG). The event celebrated the success of the women receiving the scholarship and the efforts of the women who made the scholarships possible.
"Although I am long retired, I continue to take great pride that the institution has continued and enhanced this tradition of women helping women," Nesbitt said.
The Women of UNG is led by chairwoman Nikki Watkins and includes alumnae, current students, and friends of UNG. In 2015, they partnered with the UNG Foundation to assist with the planning and coordination of both the luncheon and the Women’s Educational Scholarship Fund selection process. Scholarship awardees are non-traditional female students who are parents, head of their household, or financially responsible for themselves and their families.
Since its inception some 30 female students have received more than $30,000 in scholarship awards in increments ranging from $250 to $2,000, which provide a means to pursue a college degree.
Each year a recipient is asked to speak at the event, and this year Brandy Mathis was selected to speak.
"There are not many scholarships that apply to non-traditional students, so for UNG to have the resources to provide scholarships specifically for students like me is a great thing. I hope that people will continue to give back to UNG so even more non-traditional students can continue their education," said Mathis.
After 22 years of pursuing a college education, Mathis expects to graduate with her bachelor's degree in communications in May 2017. The wife and mother of three is maintaining a 4.0 GPA and works for UNG on the Oconee Campus as a financial aid assistant in the Financial Aid Center.
"Women like me who have faced incredible challenges and obstacles have a chance to change their lives because of these scholarships. Those dreams of a college education would not have been possible without the support and devotion from the Women of UNG," Mathis said.
The recipients of the 2016 Women’s Education Fund Scholarship are Celina Becerra, Michelle Lynn Correll, Kelly M. Cullens, Andrea Kylie Feltner, Julie Matthews Lee, Crystal Rachael Lyliston, Mathis, and Kristina Rachelle Storm.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/1/485048/ung-academic-scholarships-awarded-to-female-scholars