November 7, 2024

Thanks to the generosity of its donors, Columbus State University awards more than $3 million in student scholarships each year. Individual and corporate donations now account for hundreds of annual and endowed scholarship opportunities available to undergraduate and graduate students.

Many of this year’s scholarship recipients gathered on the evening of Nov. 4 to celebrate that spirit of philanthropy. One of those students was Elizabeth Tamor (pictured), a freshman from Phenix City, Alabama, pursuing a degree in nursing.

“I feel really honored to receive the scholarship because I get to serve the university and help my local community. It is paying half of my tuition,” she said of the benefits of receiving a William B. Turner Center for Servant Leadership Scholarship.

As Tamor demonstrates, studying in the Servant Leadership Program, enrolling in the Honors College and participating in study abroad programs open doors to additional scholarship opportunities. President Stuart Rayfield explained that part of the role of scholarships is to allow students to take the time they may have been focused on paying for school and instead benefit from activities like these that enhance their college experience.

“We hope your scholarship is meaningful for you—that it means you can study what you’re passionate about. Please also use this opportunity to participate in something that you would not have the time, resources or chance to do otherwise,” she advised scholarship recipients.

Ericka King (pictured), a Columbus native double-majoring in nursing and health science, received the Elizabeth Turner Corn Nursing Scholarship. The scholarship is enabling her to be the type of nurse who cared for her mother, who recently overcame cancer.

“My mother had amazing nurses … and that motivated me—because, when people are fighting for their lives, they need people willing to fight with them,” King said.  “Receiving this scholarship is a privilege. It reminds me of bridge building, reaching back to help others along the way. I'm looking forward to meeting my donor, and I hope they come to my graduation.”

Jacob Starling is a senior who grew up in nearby Harris County and is now majoring in finance and marketing. Receiving a scholarship allows him to invest more of his time in his studies.

“[My scholarship] has helped me reduce much of the financial strain of my studies,” Starling (pictured) explained. “I've been able to study more without relying on working a full-time job. It’s been very helpful stress-wise, so I can focus more on my education.”

Receiving the Paul and Jean Amos Aflac Scholarship is significant to Starling, as the Columbus-based supplemental insurance company has employed his father for more than 20 years. He sees the scholarship as an investment in his future and considers a career at Aflac among his potential professional opportunities.

“[Aflac] keeps reinvesting in me,” he said, referring to the fact that his scholarship renews if he maintains good grades. “[Once I complete my studies], I’d like to work for them and potentially help make the company even better than it already is.”

While Starling’s scholarship is awarded based on his academic merit, other scholarship awards—like the Flora M. Clark Research Award—support graduate students’ work toward their theses, dissertations and publication goals.

“Receiving the Flora M. Clark Research Award for my work is a tremendous honor for me, and I am sincerely thankful for the opportunity it provides,” explained this year’s recipient, Anthony Anyabuoke, who is pursuing a master’s degree in natural sciences. “With these funds, I will be able to procure essential research supplies necessary to advance my research on aggressive forms of cancer and potential therapeutic interventions.”

For other students, like Men’s Golf student-athlete Bernard Meyer, scholarships can help advance academic and athletic goals.

“Being a scholarship recipient has opened doors for me that I wouldn't have imagined are in reach,” the junior business major and South African native said. “I've been able to come from across the world to further my academic and sports ambitions. I've accomplished many additional goals in life and sport that would not have happened if it weren't for the support I've received.”

ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS

More than 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from university scholarships totaling more than $3 million annually. Typical scholarship awards range in value from $100 to $5,000 in academic year support, including merit and need-based opportunities. Most can be used toward tuition, fees, room and board, books and other school-related expenses.

These scholarship awards are made possible by generous donors who understand the value scholarships represent in making college affordable and equipping students to achieve their goals.

“[Our donors] are individuals investing in your future,” Rayfield told scholarship recipients. “Every single day, they are investing in your success and what you want to do in the future.”

Rayfield (pictured addressing student at the scholarship reception) also emphasized the legacy those investments in students represent and the responsibility current recipients have in the future to maintain that legacy as alumni.

“You are the recipient of our donors’ generosity. As you think about how you say ‘thanks’ for the scholarships you've been awarded, also think about how you will say ‘thanks’ in the future as alumni. You can provide that same aid and assistance to a future student who might not be able to attend Columbus State but for the generosity of others,” she said.

Donors partner with the Division of University Advancement to designate the program, department or college in which their scholarship is awarded and define the criteria—such as academic, geographic or need-based requirements—used to bestow them. Both annual and endowed scholarships provide donors with naming opportunities to attach themselves, their business or someone of their choosing to scholarship funds.

Current and future students can review scholarship opportunities on the university’s website. Photos from the student scholarship reception are available from the university's Flickr account.

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Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu