Six education students selected for Hattie M. Strong scholarships

Six students in Radford University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) teacher preparation program have been awarded $5,000 scholarships from the Hattie M. Strong Foundation.

CEHD and Hattie M. Strong Foundation representatives honored the recipients at a ceremony held April 28 in Peters Hall.

Scholarships are awarded to students who are student-teaching during the fall and spring semesters.

This year, two scholarships were awarded in the fall of 2014 to Kristal Bird, a health and physical education major who graduated in December, and Elise Schaubert, a senior early childhood education major who will graduate in May.

Four scholarships were awarded during the spring semester to:

• Nancy Bagato – elementary education
   
• Maggie France – middle school education
   
• Jesse Lykins – music education
   
• Kristy Shively – science education

All four will graduate in May.

Recipients of the Hattie M. Strong scholarship must have GPAs of 3.0 or better for the two semesters prior to student teaching, exhibit outstanding success and enthusiasm in previous field experiences, show strong leadership skills and demonstrate financial need. The recipients must also intend to pursue a career in teaching.

Preference is given to applicants who have a demonstrated record of "helping others help themselves."

At the ceremony, each of the scholarship recipients was introduced by a faculty mentor. The students later delivered brief presentations about their student-teaching experiences. Speaking of their scholarships, each expressed heart-felt appreciation to the Hattie M. Strong Foundation.

“To hear each person's story is a wonderful experience, and that is so what we’re about,” said Robin Tanner, executive director at the Hattie M. Strong Foundation.

CEHD Assistant Dean Tamara Wallace closed the program saying, “Congratulations to you all, and welcome to the profession. I’m so happy for the children you will serve.”

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.

Hattie M. Strong, for whom the foundation is named, was born in 1864. She 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 interest and ingenuity. To provide for herself and her son, she held a number of positions, including nurse, physician's assistant, ticket agent and supervisor of a men's club. In 1905, she married Henry Alvah Strong, the first president of Eastman Kodak Co., and dedicated the rest of her life to helping the less fortunate.