OXFORD,
Miss. – For Ruby Wright, the Dr. T.P. Vinson Memorial Scholarship at
the University of Mississippi has enabled her to attain a lifelong
dream.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to do, and my
father used to tell me that he always knew I was going to be a school
teacher one day,” Wright said. “My dream is coming true.”
The
mother of two said that over the last eight years, as a part-time
education student at Ole Miss, she has spent many sleepless nights
juggling commitments to family, work and, of course, her academic
studies. She expects to graduate in May.
To help other students reach their dreams, a fundraiser for the minority scholarship in the School of Education is scheduled April 18 on the Oxford campus. The fourth annual Dr. T. P. Vinson Memorial Scholarship 5K Walk/Run starts at 8 a.m. at the Lyceum Circle. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The winning male and female each receive a $100 prize, made possible by Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi.
The entry fee for individuals is $25 and includes a T-shirt. Teams can enter at a cost of $250, which includes 10 T-shirts.
“The walk/run event has grown every year,” said Whitney Webb, UM leadership and counselor education professor. “This is simply an avenue for us to raise money to help education students obtain their college degree while honoring a man who made such a huge impact on teacher educators.”
Known to his friends as “T. P.” or “Thea” – short for Theopolis – Vinson was an outstanding teacher and administrator in UM’s School of Education from 1989 until his untimely death in 2003. He served as director of undergraduate advising and records, assistant dean, and assistant professor of curriculum and instruction. He also taught, advised and recruited students for UM’s Oxford, Southaven and Tupelo campuses.
The $1,000 Dr. T.P. Vinson Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time junior or senior black student enrolled in the teacher education program who demonstrates extraordinary leadership ability and community service.
Tax deductible donations to the scholarship endowment can be sent to the University of Mississippi Foundation, P.O. Box 249, University, MS 38677, or donations can be made online at http://www.umf.olemiss.edu/makeagift.
To register or for more information on the Walk/Run event, contact Germain McConnell at 662-915-7154 or e-mail eegm@olemiss.edu. A registration form can be downloaded at http://www.raceonline.com .
For assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7154.