Thirteen women across the Diocese of North Carolina will be in class this school year thanks in large part to the fact they’ve been awarded Lex Mathews Scholarships.
The Diocesan ECW administers and helps finance the Lex Mathews Scholarship program, begun more than two decades ago by family and friends of the Rev. Lex Mathews, who at the time of his death headed the diocese’s office of Christian Social Ministries. It is geared toward women of the diocese, age 23 and older, seeking either specialized training in vocational or technical skills, a degree or certification below the masters or doctorate level, or continuing education courses for upgrading job skills.
The scholarships, awarded annually in the spring, are an effort to help women, many of whom are solely responsible for their families, to achieve self-sufficiency by getting the education necessary to enter or reenter the workforce. Preference is given to Episcopalians or someone sponsored by an Episcopalian.
Lex Mathews Scholarship recipients for the 2009-2010 school year are:
Diane Abbattista of Charlotte
$500: Central Piedmont Community College, pre-nursing
Recommended by the Rev. John Tampa, Emmanuel Church, Southern Pines
Emily Alexander of Matthews
$1,000: Carolina College of Health Sciences, nursing
Recommended by the Rev. Will Hinson, St. Andrew’s Church, Charlotte
Laurel Caldwell of Winston-Salem
$1,000: UNC Greensboro, nursing
Recommended by the Rev. Steven Rice, St. Timothy’s Church, Winston Salem
Melisa Ann Gray of Burlington
$500: South University, business administration/human resource management
Recommended by a parishioner, Church of the Holy Comforter, Burlington
Johnevea Green of Charlotte
$1,500: Belmont Abbey College, business management
Recommended by the Rev. Wendell Phillips, St. Michael and All Angels, Charlotte
Trevla Haire of Statesville
$1,000: Caldwell Community College, cardiovascular sonography
Recommended by the Rev. Bradley Mullis, Trinity Church, Statesville
Sharon Horn of Raleigh
$1,500: Excelsior College, nursing
Recommended by the Rev. Andie Wigodsky, Saint Mary’s School, Raleigh
Regina McDonald of Rockingham
$1,500: UNC Pembroke, sociology
Recommended by the Rev. Marty Stebbins, All Saints’ Church, Hamlet
Nichole Moore of Greensboro
$1,600: Guilford Technical Community College, criminal justice
Recommended by a parishioner, Holy Trinity Church, Greensboro
Emilie Perry of Cary
$1,000: North Carolina Wesleyan College, K-6 teaching certification
Recommended by the Rev. Scott White, Church of the Good Shepherd, Rocky Mount
Elizabeth Popple of Hamlet
$1,500: UNC Pembroke, elementary education
Recommended by the Rev. Marty Stebbins, All Saints’ Church, Hamlet
Debbie Staley of Denton
$1,400: Salem College, music/organ
Recommended by a parishioner, St. Luke’s Church, Salisbury
Melody Watt of Reidsville
$1,000: UNC Greensboro, business administration
Recommended by the Rev. Dr. Vicki Smith, St. Thomas Church, Reidsville
ECW vice-president Velma Bradshaw chairs the scholarship committee, whose members are: Anne Phillips-Rocky Mount Convocation; Carolyn Owens-Raleigh Convocation; Shirley Sadler-Winston Salem Convocation; Julia Davis-Greensboro Convocation; and Sharita Womack-Charlotte Convocation.
For more information about Lex Mathews Scholarships contact Velma Bradshaw at lexmathews^ecw-nc#org or (252) 823-4266.