Luther H. Black Memorial Scholarship
Congratulations 2005 Winners
Dana Thompson and
Carol Anne Hawley
Dana Thompson Awarded 2005 Dr. Luther Black Memorial Scholarship
A few well-placed words of encouragement have changed the life of a Crossett woman. Dana Thompson, a 27-year-old wife and mother, was awarded a 2005 Dr. Luther H. Black Scholarship, presented by the Arkansas Association for Continuing and Adult Education (AACAE) at its 2005 Fall Conference in Little Rock. Thompson earned her General Educational Development (GED) credential, the Arkansas High School Diploma, through the UAM College of Technology-Crossett (UAM-CTC) Adult Education Program. One of my GED teachers told me I was intelligent. Never in my life had anyone ever said that to me. That statement completely changed my life, Thompson stated.
A first generation college student, Thompson is currently enrolled at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where she is a freshman general studies major and a member of the Chancellors List, which requires a perfect 4.0 grade point average in at least 12 semester hours.
In accepting the scholarship, Thompson addressed an audience of over 350 adult educators, state administrators, her family, and Senator Shane Broadway, who later lauded Thompson for her accomplishments. She expressed her appreciation to the professional organization and the Luther Black Scholarship Committee for the award and credited the UAM-CTC adult education staff with turning her life around.
According to Lloyd Husky, Luther Black Scholarship Chair and Director of the Shorter College Adult Education Program in North Little Rock, the scholarship committee feels strongly that Dana Thompson is a worthy recipient of the Dr. Luther H. Black Memorial Scholarship. Dana portrays all the qualities of the adult learner for whom Dr. Black built a powerful system of education and support in Arkansas. It is gratifying that that Dana wants to instill her fervor for education in others, and that she aspires to teach. Individuals like Dana need someone to believe in them and once that belief has taken hold, the true magnitude of their potential can be fully developed.
Dana Thompson
Dana Thompson
Carol Anne Hawley Awarded 2005 Dr. Luther Black Memorial Scholarship
Carol Anne Hawley, a GED graduate of the Shorter College Adult Education Program in North Little Rock, was recently awarded a 2005 Dr. Luther Black Memorial Scholarship, presented by the Arkansas Association for Continuing and Adult Education (AACAE) at its annual fall conference in Little Rock.
Hawley was home schooled by her parents, an arrangement that worked well for over ten years, according to her. When we got to the point where I needed to learn algebra, I just didnt get it, she professed. I decided I would go to public school and work really hard to earn some kind of scholarship so I could go on to college. But before I actually started the public school classes, I changed my mind and asked my parents if I could go to a GED program. Understanding that she had some fear of the social impact of attending a large public school, her parents supported her decision. In January 2005, sixteen-year- old Hawley began her GED studies at Shorter College. My teachers at Shorter were wonderful! They taught me to do algebra which was a big step for me. And I had never in my life written an essay. Its a testimony to what a good job the teachers did since I wrote an essay for Luther Black Scholarship. On February29, 2005, Hawley earned her GED. She stayed in the adult education program at Shorter and volunteered her time as a math tutor. She also participated in a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program where her case manager, Ms. Dorine Smith, referred her for a secretarial position at North Little West Campus High School. Hawley was offered and accepted that job in June, with the understanding that her work schedule could be arranged around her fall college class schedule.
In August, Hawley enrolled in Pulaski Technical College with plans to finish general education courses there and later transfer to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to major in forensic science. Of her adult education experiences she says, I cant thank my teachers and sponsors at Shorter enough. I may have had an algebra problem when I started there, but I now have a 96% average in College Algebra. I didnt even have to take Introductory or Intermediate Algebra thanks to what I learned in GED classes.
Hawley accepted her scholarship award from Dr. Blacks brother, Lloyd Black, before an audience of near 300 adult educators, state administrators, and guests at the AACAE awards banquet. With great pride and emotion, Mr. Black read the following inscription from the award certificate, This scholarship was established to honor Dr. Luther H. Black, the Father of Adult Education for his years of dedicated and committed service to Arkansas Adult Education. Dr. Black retired in 1987 after serving 22 years as Manager of Adult Education for the state. He served under six governors and helped the adult education program grow from one office to programs in almost every county in Arkansas. Dr. Black was praised for having an unconditional positive regard for his fellow man. Mr. Black further commented that his brother would be pleased to see that young people are still continuing to benefit from his labors.
Carol Anne Hawley
Carol Anne Hawley
Arkansas is a member of LINCS (Literacy Information aNd Communication Systems) which provides a Regional and National network of electronic support for Adult Education and Literacy. Arkansas is part of the Southern LINCS consortium. Click on the buttons below to search for resources outside of Arkansas.
Funded by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Education, Adult Education Section
