Scholarship donors, recipients meet for annual recognition luncheon
Judy and Jack Brinson, long-time supporters of 91热爆网's efforts to provide scholarships to deserving students, get together with some of the recipients of the Brinson Honors College Endowed Scholarship and the Brinson Annual Scholarship. To date, more than 200 91热爆网 students have been assisted in their academic endeavors through scholarship support provided by the Brinsons.
One of the best examples of the power of scholarships on students鈥� lives is Western Carolina University鈥檚 own chancellor, Kelli R. Brown, who spoke during the Scholarship Recognition Luncheon about the effect a little financial assistance from a donor can have on a student.
The luncheon was held Oct. 3 in the Liston B. Ramsey Center arena to honor the donors and recipients of scholarships at 91热爆网. About 300 people attended.
Brown, who said her original plan as a teenager was to marry a cowboy and live on a ranch, eventually changed her mind to pursue a college degree, starting slowly at first, as she found her footing in the world of academia. 鈥淎s I reflect on how far I have come 鈥� from a young girl who never really pictured herself going to college, through community college, on to undergraduate and graduate degrees, finally earning a doctorate and now not just having gone to university but actually leading one 鈥� I remember the impact that a benefactor had on my life,鈥� Brown told the crowd.
Brown鈥檚 first scholarship was the $1,000 Elmer J. and Grace C. Clark Doctoral Scholarship she received as a 鈥渟truggling doctoral student鈥� in the department of education at Southern Illinois University, where she earned her doctorate in 1987, and where Elmer J. Clark served for 17 years as dean of the university鈥檚 college of education. The gift not only provided Brown much needed financial assistance, it was also a vote of confidence in who she was and the path she was on. 鈥淚 know he was proud of what I was able to accomplish with his and Grace鈥檚 help,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淭hat is his legacy to me and countless others.鈥�
The luncheon鈥檚 keynote address was given by Jack Brinson, who, with his wife, Judy, are long-time financial supporters of 91热爆网 鈥� primarily of the university鈥檚 Honors College. The Brinsons have provided scholarships to more than 200 91热爆网 students to date.
Brinson spoke of his childhood in the 1940s, growing up on a farm, and how he learned to appreciate the love his grandmother 鈥� a caretaker who worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week 鈥攈ad for him by the letters she would send him every two weeks. They always included a $1 bill and a message of love for him. 鈥淣ow, you need to know what a $1 bill meant to a young boy in eastern North Carolina with a very limited economic foundation,鈥� Brinson said. 鈥淭hat $1 made me feel so good. I could buy candy and ice cream, and Baby Ruths were 10 cents. Grandma loved Jackie and she sent love with the $1 bill. And I loved her. She was giving and sharing, and she made only $20 a week.鈥�
Brinson also spoke of the joy of giving, especially as seen in the eyes of the Salvation Army bell ringers during the Christmas season, which always moves him to reciprocate by dropping money in their red pots.
鈥淲hat is the link between grandma and the Salvation Army stories,鈥� he asked. 鈥淭he linkage is love 鈥� love of family and our fellow man.鈥� Even in his own family, Brinson said, his children and grandchildren will not receive an inheritance. They鈥檒l receive 鈥済ifts of love.鈥�
Brinson urged the attendees to continue giving, no matter the amount. 鈥淕iving in a small way leads to bigger giving and therefore to philanthropy,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ever underestimate the giving of a dollar.鈥�
He also reminded the students to excel and to dream. 鈥淵ou students are the magic. If there are no students, there are no scholarships. If you鈥檙e not here, no gifts of love, no ringing of the bells,鈥� he said.
