DAYTON — Recipients of the 2023-24 Reba Arnold Fitzgerald (RAF) Education Scholarship are sophomore Madeline Walls of Dayton and freshman Kayla Posey of Hixson, Tenn. Both are elementary education majors at Bryan College.
The RAF scholarship began in 2022 as a legacy to honor longtime Rhea County teacher Reba Fitzgerald. The award is given annually to an incoming freshman majoring in education. The scholarship is renewable for the student’s entire undergraduate program to recipients who continue as education majors.
The scholarship program seeks to develop a community of four RFT scholars who support one another throughout their college years as they prepare for their teaching career.
“This uniquely structured scholarship provides an exciting opportunity for our education students to build community with their fellow recipients while alleviating some of the cost of earning their degree” said Vice President of Advancement David Holcomb. “Bryan College is grateful for the Fitzgerald family for supporting our students as they learn how to make a difference in their future classrooms, and I want to specifically thank Rebecca Fitzgerald Tucker for allowing proceeds from the sale of her book to benefit this scholarship.”
Fitzgerald family members met with Regan Rinehart, Education Department Chair, regarding the teacher preparation program at Bryan.
Rinehart discussed the department’s continued advancement, “The education department at Bryan College is thrilled to have expanded into a new space complete with a curriculum lab, teacher library, classroom, and conference room. This innovative learning environment allows education students to get hands-on experience and prepares them to become passionate, dedicated teachers ready to positively impact children’s lives. With a dedicated group of almost 30 student teachers set to enter classrooms in the fall of 2024, the future looks bright for Bryan’s education program.”
Friends and former students of Reba Fitzgerald or the Bryan College education department are encouraged to contribute to the Fitzgerald Scholarship fund. Checks may be mailed to Bryan College, 721 Bryan Drive, Dayton, TN, 37321, or donations may be made online at Bryan.edu with designations to the Reba Arnold Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund.
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