E.B. Kennedy Scholarship Finals This Weekend

DUE WEST, S.C. – Erskine College will host 24 finalists Jan. 7-9 for the prestigious E.B. Kennedy Scholarship, named one of the top scholarship programs in the nation in The Student Guide to AMERICA'S BEST COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS: 1998-1999, published by John Culler & Sons.

Two winners will be chosen from among the 24 finalists, who were selected from among the semifinalists interviewed in December. The scholarship provides complete funding of tuition, room, board, books, and fees, and is renewable for four years. The value of the scholarship for 1998-99 was more than $60,000.

Inspired by Dr. E.B. Kennedy, beloved Erskine alumnus, teacher and respected minister, the scholarship is awarded to high school seniors demonstrating leadership and service in their communities, churches, and schools. Awards are based on the candidates’ Christian commitment, leadership potential, scholastic achievement, and vigorous outlook.

Dr. E.B. Kennedy was a member of the class of 1889 at Erskine College, where he received his A.B. degree. He received the Master of Arts degree from Yale University and the Doctor of Divinity degree from Presbyterian College.

In 1898 he graduated from Erskine Theological Seminary and accepted his first pastorate in Bartow, Fla., where he served until 1905. In 1913 Dr. Kennedy became professor of Latin and French at Erskine College, where he remained on the faculty for 35 years. An Associate Reformed Presbyterian minister for over 50 years, Dr. Kennedy passed away in 1962 at the age of 91.

The E.B. Kennedy Scholarships are funded by the Edward C. Stuart Foundation, Inc., in Bartow, Fla., and an E.B. Kennedy Scholarship Fund. Miss Crosland Stuart of Winter Park, Florida, serves as Chair of the E.B. Kennedy Scholarship Program and her father Mr. Bill Stuart is Secretary. Directors of the program, in addition to Miss Stuart and Mr. Stuart, are the Rev. Dr. Ron Beard, Mrs. Sandra Gettys, Mrs. Charlene Haynes, Dr. Henry Hollingsworth, Mr. Bill Patrick, and Dr. Gordon Parkinson (Director Emeritus).

In addition to Miss Stuart, this year's interviewers are the Rev. Dr. Clyde McCants, Winnsboro; Mr. Neil Jones, Greenville; Dr. Bright Lowry and Dr. Howard Thomas, of the Erskine College faculty; and Ms. Elise Maynard, Maitland, Florida.

Finalists are to attend interviews as well as a number of luncheons, dinners, and other gatherings and spend time with their Erskine student hosts and hostesses.

This year’s finalists and their hometowns are:

Nathan Allen Carrington, Charlotte, NC; Christine Marie Carroll, Lexington, SC; Jessica Marie Cortez, Pompano Beach, FL; Erin Julianne Cruce, Anderson, SC; Jennifer Esther Farnum, Greer, SC; Nora Myrene Fuller, Tabor City, NC; Claire Eleahna Gardner, Rock Hill, SC; Adam Lee Guice, Asheville, NC; Cynthia Robin Luse, Asheville, NC; Sonya Michelle Marthai, Charleston, SC; Sara Blaire Oakley, Conyers, GA; Mary James Pace; Spartanburg, SC; Joshua Stephen Paine, Tampa, FL; John Rainey Patrick, Greenwood, SC; Martha Anne Peake; Winnsboro, SC; Jerrod Alexander Poe, Aiken, SC; Gina Rebekah Pratico, Huntsville, AL; Bobby Lynn Rackley, Jacksonville, NC; Amanda Rae Saxon; Augusta, GA; Andrea Denise Smith, Irmo, SC; Edward Robeson Tinsley, York, SC; Sara Beth Weber; Greensboro, NC; Laura Eleanor Williams, Norway, SC; Jefferson Ephraim Burris Wilson, Chester, SC.

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