Hattie M. Strong Scholarship awarded to education students

Six students in Radford University’s College of Education and Human Development teacher preparation program have each been awarded $5,000 scholarships from the Hattie M. Strong Foundation.
From left: Beth Stoltz, Rebekah Grooten, Amanda Wade, Robin Tanner of the Hattie M. Strong Foundation, Haley Jensen, Rachel Beard and Tyler Bowman.

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

CEHD and the Hattie M. Strong Foundation representatives honored the recipients at a ceremony held April 16 in Peters Hall.

Scholarships are awarded annually to students who are student-teaching during the fall and spring semesters. The 2018-19 recipients are:

  • Rachel Beard of Bedford, Virginia;
  • Tyler Bowman of Maurertown, Virginia;
  • Rebecca Grooten of Blue Ridge, Virginia;
  • Haley Jensen of Fredericksburg, Virginia;
  • Beth Stoltz of Roanoke, Virginia; and
  • Amanda Wade of Roanoke, Virginia.

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 teaching career.

Preference is provided to applicants with a demonstrated record of "helping others help themselves."

“We had so many amazing applicants this year, and our winners are tremendous students,” said Nadine Hartig, CEHD interim associate dean.

At the ceremony, students delivered presentations about their student-teaching and life experiences, and each expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Hattie M. Strong Foundation.

Robin Tanner represented the Hattie M. Strong Foundation at the ceremony. She commended the students for their hard work and achievements and applauded faculty for their dedication to educating the pre-service teachers.

“It’s my honor to come to Radford and experience this and take the stories back to our board,” Tanner said. “It tickles me to come here each year, because I know it’s going to be great. These six students are already making a difference in children’s lives.”

The Hattie M. Strong Foundation was incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1928. Its primary activity is the administration of a scholarship program and a grant program.

The Foundation made the first gift to Radford University in 2012 and, to date, has provided $200,000 to support student teachers.

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.

Strong overcame challenges through her high energy, range of interests and ingenuity. To provide for herself and her son, she held a number of positions, including nurse, physician 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.

May 3, 2019
Chad Osborne
540-831-7761
caosborne@radford.edu