Scholarships… for many students today they are the difference between having a dream and actually pursuing a dream. While universities provide funding for some scholarships, a tremendous number of scholarships are actually funded by private dollars given by generous individuals in the hope of assisting deserving students in their pursuit of a college education. Whether based on financial need or academic merit, these scholarships lighten the financial burden on students and their parents, allowing students to focus on their studies rather than their debt.

Private scholarships are set up as either an annual scholarship or an endowed scholarship. Annual scholarships are paid by the donor each year. When the donor makes the gift, a scholarship in that amount can then be awarded to a student who meets the criteria set forth by the donor for the scholarship. Annual scholarships can be set up in any amount. Endowed scholarships differ from annual scholarships in that the entire amount of the gift is invested. Only a percentage of the income each year is used to fund a scholarship for a student. The rest of the income is added to the original principle, which is never spent, for continued growth. The minimum endowment level at UT Martin is $25,000, payable over a five-year period.

One example of an annual scholarship at UT Martin is the Kelly Family Emergency Assistance Fund. Chris and Tina Kelly of Martin established the scholarship in 2008 for students who found themselves in a financial crisis through no fault of their own. Chris stated that “this was a small way that we could give back to our community by helping a student whose education may be jeopardized by tragedy.”
Chris received a bachelor’s degree in arts and sciences in 1993 and now works as a partner with the Martin Anesthesia Group. Chris is a member of the UT Martin Alumni Council. Tina serves as a registered nurse for the Weakley County School System. A Vanderbilt University graduate, she also has taught classes as an adjunct for the UT Martin Department of Nursing.

Since the establishment of the Kellys’ scholarship, eligible students have had access to immediate financial assistance if their lives are impacted by fire, flood or other natural disaster. Because of the Kellys’ generosity, students now are provided with immediate assistance that quickly allows them to return their focus to their studies.

In 2008, Ms. Sue Foote established the Paul and Sue Foote Mathematics Education Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a student majoring in math or math education who plans to pursue a career in teaching math at the collegiate or secondary school level. The recipient must show financial need and academic success, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Born in Arkansas, Paul Foote paid his way through college milking cows at a dairy farm. After serving his country in World War II, he finished his degree in mathematics at Arkansas State Teachers College and his master’s degree in mathematics at the University of Arkansas. In 1951, he came to UT Martin (then the University of Tennessee Martin Branch) and taught mathematics and engineering until his retirement in 1982. Martha Sue Trevathan Foote was born in the Martin area and attended Martin High School. She attended UT Junior College (now UT Martin), majoring in education. She worked in the UTJC Business Office and did so well, they asked her to take a full-time position as secretary—one of only two secretaries on the UTJC campus. She met Mr. Foote when he first arrived on campus, and they married in 1953. Ms. Foote worked part-time until her retirement in 1982. She and Mr. Foote had one child, Dr. John Foote, a UT Knoxville alumnus, who received his doctorate in mechanical engineering in 1989. He and his family reside in Madison, Ala. Ms. Foote established the Paul and Sue Foote Mathematics Education Endowed Scholarship following the death of Mr. Foote as a way for them to continue investing in the success of UT Martin.

While the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program has certainly assisted students in funding their college tuition, it, unfortunately, doesn’t cover the full cost of attending college. More scholarships are needed to help to turn students’ dreams into reality. If you would like to establish a scholarship, or to get more information on establishing a scholarship at UT Martin, contact the Development Office at 731-881-7620.