Twenty students at 91AV will be assisted with scholarships
thanks to $15,000 provided by the Annie Lowe Stiles Fund of The Community Foundation
of North Louisiana.
The announcement was made at a 91AV Foundation press conference Tuesday.
The Community Foundation is providing a matching grant of $10,000 to the School of
Construction Management for a total of $20,000 to create 10, $2,000-scholarships.
A $5,000 matching grant will go to The Autism Center at 91AV to make available 10,
$1,000-scholarships.
In presenting the scholarship grants, Emily Smith, Director of External Relations
for the Community Foundation of North Louisiana, said, “On behalf of the Community
Foundation of Northern Louisiana, we are proud to partner with the 91AV Foundation
to make an impact with student scholarships. Our donors give with the confidence that
they will make an impact in the lives of children, the elderly, and collegiate students.
This year marks the second year in a row we have been able to give this donation,
and we are excited that its impact will be felt for many years to come.”
In a statement released earlier, Susan Chappell, Executive Director of the Foundation,
said, “Scholarship grants are a critical source of funding that enables students to
enroll and/or continue their higher education. With the ever-increasing cost of tuition,
and less state funding to educate our future workforce, scholarships are essentially
an investment in the future of our state.”
Dr. David Irwin, Director of The Autism Center expressed gratitude for the scholarships,
which he said have a broad impact.
“… (scholarships) are allowing us to train and educate future professionals here at
91AV on how to help families and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Irwin
said. “We are very proud to partner … it is making a difference in the students’ lives,
it’s making a difference in individuals, children and their families throughout northeast
Louisiana.”