Scholarships support,
empower UM students

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
He feels supported, valuable, empowered.
Graham B. Douglass of First UMC, Kerrville, received a $1,000 Gift of Hope Scholarship from The United Methodist Church.
That was one of many financial-aid gifts that stem from funds collected during the annual United Methodist Student Day offering.
Student Day is one of six denominationwide special offerings on The United Methodist Church calendar each year.
Nov. 26 is the officially designated Sunday for the offering this year.
The United Methodist scholarship has colored Douglass’ perspective, he said.
“Faith and religion on a college campus are something that can be a very influential aspect of students’ lives,” Douglass said. “To know that a student’s particular denomination—my denomination—supports me in my scholastic pursuits and my faith away at school is something very positive and invaluable.
“It’s an important thing not only for the student, but for the church, too—to know that they’re able to help out.”
Douglass, a sophomore studying theater at United Methodist-related Syracuse University in New York, said most college students are far away from home, their parents and any family environment.
That makes staying faithful to their beliefs more difficult, yet more important, he said.
Support from Student Day scholarships help keep students on the right track, he said.
Douglass said he uses the money for his tuition.
Caroline Bonner of Travis Park UMC, San Antonio, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
The United Methodist money has helped her family financially, she said.
“Going to any college is expensive—and especially in a family where more than one child goes to college,” Bonner said. “Any money is helpful.
“It’s really nice to know that I’m supported by other people to pursue the things I want to pursue in order to make the community a better place—so I can be a productive member of society.”
Bonner, a freshman studying choral music and piano at the University of Texas at Austin, hopes one day to become a high school choir teacher.
Congregations may collect money for student loans and scholarships any Sunday through Dec. 31.