Hattiesburg, Miss., May 17, 2013 - Macie Foreman, a senior biology major and psychology/chemistry minor from Rayne, La., was recently named the 2013-2014 recipient of the William Carey University Student Foundation Scholarship.
Foreman was selected for the scholarship based on her academic achievements, including a 4.0 grade point average, along with her campus and community involvement. She is a member of the WCU women's soccer team, serves on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes lead team, is active in the Baptist Student Union's weekly CampusLINK meetings, and is a coach for the Hattiesburg Youth Soccer Association.
Foreman's selection was also based on her responses to the Foundation's scholarship application, said Student Foundation President Carlos Casilla.
";We had many outstanding applicants but felt Macie's responses to the questions we asked, her campus involvement, and her grades made her the right candidate,"; he said.
In her responses, Foreman said she selected WCU because she wanted a ";smaller campus centered on religion and academics."; Foreman sees herself owning a physical therapy clinic in 10 years, where she ";can specialize in athletic and pediatric therapy and touch people's lives.";
Foreman said she was extremely grateful to the Student Foundation for their gift.
";I work extremely hard for my grades so this reward is a validation for the past few years of hard work,"; she said.
The Student Foundation, founded by several WCU students in 2010, aims to provide their fellow students with scholarship money to fulfill their goals. The Foundation holds several fundraisers per academic year to fund its annual scholarship and also relies on the WCU community and beyond for donations.
A recent donation to the Student Foundation came from former WCU student Van Payne, who now serves as director of creative strategies for the Southern Baptist Convention's International Missions Board. In 1973, Payne was preparing to graduate from WCU but needed $400 in order to complete his college education.
Several members of the WCU community helped gather the funds for Payne. He was able to complete his college education and has "repaid" the money to the Student Foundation out of gratitude, said WCU Provost Dr. Scott Hummel, the Foundation's sponsor.
"Payne's gift is a neat story and speaks to the very purpose of the Student Foundation,"; said Hummel. ";Not only did he pay back the $400, but in a way he paid it forward to help a future student."