UWA awards prestigious scholarships for math and science education majors

Published 12:12 am Wednesday, May 14, 2008

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama, in conjunction with the Daniel Foundation of Alabama, recently awarded $40,000 full scholarships to three incoming freshmen who aspire to teach mathematics or science secondary education. The recipients, selected from high schools represented in the Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education’s Partnership Schools Program, will return to teach one of these in-demand subjects in their public school system for at least three years following graduation.

“We are very fortunate to have had such strong applicants for the first UWA/Daniel Foundation Scholarships. The three recipients are top notch students, and in four years, they will help meet the needs of our partnership schools,” said Dr. Martha Hocutt, dean of the Tutwiler College of Education. “We are so very pleased the Daniel Foundation donated the funds to provide these scholarships to help our partnership schools fill teaching positions in the critical need areas of mathematics and science.”

The first UWA/Daniel Foundation Scholarships were awarded to Emillie A. Conway of Livingston and Andrea L. Clanahan and Nakarra M. Young, both of Butler. The students were judged on strict criteria including two essays and an on-campus interview.

Conway, a senior at Sumter Academy, plans to major in mathematics education. She says she hopes to instill passion and determination in the students that she will teach in Sumter County.

“I know that I could have picked a profession that would benefit me more monetarily, but I think the rewards of being a teacher are far more important,” Conway said.

Clanahan, a Southern Choctaw High School senior, will major in science education. She views receiving the UWA/Daniel Foundation Scholarship as an opportunity to be a great teacher, to give back to her school system and community and to live close to her family.

Young, a senior at Choctaw County High School, plans to major in mathematics education. She says, to her, being an educator means more than actually teaching.

“It is about reaching out to students and helping them prepare for the real world. It’s about being a guide as well as a positive role model,” Young said. “I want to be that kind of teacher in Choctaw County, Alabama.”

The prestigious scholarships were funded by a $120,000 grant from the Daniel Foundation of Alabama to the University’s ongoing “The University We Will Be” campaign in support of the Partnership Schools Program.

Through the Tutwiler College of Education’s Partnership Schools Program, students and faculty provide support to 25 school systems, located mostly in the Black Belt region, in the areas of tutorial programs, student in-service programs, faculty professional development and remedial courses. Every education faculty member must spend a minimum of 20 hours each year working with partnership schools to improve their curriculum and quality of education.

Through the first UWA/Daniel Foundation Scholarships, partnership schools in Choctaw and Sumter counties will gain quality teachers in the much-needed areas of math and science education and the 2012 graduates will enjoy immediate employment in their chosen field.