Two Students Chosen for Teaching Scholarships
The Hattie M. Strong Foundation has selected two students in Radford University's teacher preparation program to receive scholarships of $5,000 each, the first time the foundation has made the award to RU teacher candidates. Recipients Stephanie Ryan and Daphne Walter are both elementary education majors.
The Hattie M. Strong Foundation selected Radford by searching the Internet for universities that were established as normal schools. Radford was founded in 1910 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women.
"Radford is fortunate to have been 'discovered' by the Hattie M. Strong Foundation," said Pat Shoemaker, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. "We hope the foundation will continue to involve Radford. The foundation hopes to support students who will go on to make their mark in education and who will stay in touch with the foundation and let them know of their accomplishments. This is one of the requirements of the scholarship, and it allows these students to become part of a network of accomplished educators."
Hattie M. Strong Foundation Grant award winners Daphne Walter (left) and Stephanie Ryan (right) with the College of Education and Human Development Dean Pat Shoemaker. Both students are graduating seniors in elementary education.
Ryan, of Richmond, is student teaching at Auburn Elementary School in Riner. She said a teacher she had as a third grader influenced her career choice by making her excited about school. "I don't remember a lot of what she taught, but I remember the way she made me feel," she said.
Walter, an Ashburn native, is also student teaching at Auburn Elementary. "I feel honored and blessed to be a recipient of this award," she said. "I know how many qualified people applied for this scholarship, and I feel extremely grateful that I was chosen."
Both scholarship recipients expressed appreciation to their mentors: faculty members Holly Robbins, Liz Altieri, Katie Hilden-Clouse, Tricia Easterling and Leslie Daniel.
The scholarships go to students who are teaching during the spring semester. Recipients must have GPAs of 3.0 or better, exhibit outstanding success and enthusiasm in previous field experiences, show strong leadership skills, demonstrate financial need and intend to pursue a career in teaching. Preference is given to applicants who have a demonstrated record of "helping others help themselves."
Hattie M. Strong, born in 1864, supported herself and her son by creating a combination hospital and hotel for gold miners in Alaska. She overcame challenges through her "high energy, range of interests and ingenuity," according to the foundation’s website, and had a number of careers, including nurse, physician's assistant, ticket agent and supervisor of a men's club. After marrying Henry Alvah Strong, the first president of Eastman Kodak Co., in 1905, she vowed to dedicate the rest of her life to helping the less fortunate by establishing gifts and service agencies in the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa.
The Hattie M. Strong Foundation was incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1928. Its primary activity is administering loan programs for U.S. college students.
