Luther H. Black Memorial Scholarship Recipient Ruby Johnson
November 5, 2003
For more information, call:
Janie Carter
Adult Education Coordinator
University of Arkansas at Monticello
College of Technology-Crossett
870-364-6414, ext. 130
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
At the Arkansas Association for Adult and Continuing Education's annual conference in Hot Springs, the Luther H. Black Scholarship Committee awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Mrs. Ruby Johnson of Crossett. Johnson was chosen from nine statewide applicants to receive the prestigious award. Scholarship award priority is given to education majors, and Johnson is an elementary education major at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Johnson was recommended for the scholarship by the UAM College of Technology-Crossett Adult Education Program staff. In the summer of 2002, Johnson enrolled in the then Forest Echoes Technical Institute's Adult Education Program. Johnson expressed an urgent and burning desire to obtain her GED. She stated that she had raised five children as a single parent. She was totally dedicated to making sure that all her children graduated from high school. Then, when her youngest child finished high school, she said, "Now it's my time to get the education that I have so wanted for years."
Her teachers, Remona Bishop and Kathy Martin had admirable comments about Johnson. Bishop said, "Ruby is a very dedicated and motivated adult learner. She always came to GED classes prepared and ready to learn. We are very proud of her because she stands out as a tremendous role model for all students – both young and mature adults." Martin commented, "Ruby's concerns for humanity are evident not only in her nourishing and caring for her biological children but also in caring for her grandchildren and an adopted teenaged daughter. It is Ruby's nature to reach out to individuals in need. Through her church and community volunteerism, Ruby demonstrates admirable leadership and citizenship qualities."
Johnson received her GED on November 26, 2002. In reference to her accomplishments, she said, "I passed my GED the first time I took the test. I had the best group of praying ladies on my side. My friends and teachers from Forest Echoes helped me with great support. They encouraged me, kept my confidence up, and helped me to work really hard."
In January 2003, Johnson enrolled at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She occasionally returns to the UAM College of Technology-Crossett Adult Education Program for additional support in math – her only academic challenge so far. Johnson says her goals and ambitions are finally becoming realities. Her goal is to be a teacher, and she is determined not to be hindered. Like most adult learners, Johnson has time issues. In her enthusiasm to reach her lofty goals, she plans to attend summer sessions as well regular sessions until she graduates from UAM. Through her immediate enrollment in pursuit of an elementary teaching degree and her successful completion of her first semester in college, there is no question that Ruby Johnson possesses professional promise.
In June 2003, Johnson was honored with both the Forest Echoes' "Steps to Success" award and the very first Lucille Moseley Memorial Scholarship award. The Lucille Moseley Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of a long-time Forest Echoes' Adult Education Advisory Committee member.
The Adult Education staff overwhelmingly agrees that Ruby Johnson is a worthy recipient of the Dr. Luther H. Black Memorial Scholarship. Dr. Black was called the "Father of Adult Education" in Arkansas. And Johnson portrays all the qualities of the adult learner for whom Dr. Black built a powerful system of education and support in our state. Receiving this prestigious scholarship has encouraged and motivated Johnson even more to become the teacher that she so desperately wants to be. Johnson knows the value of education and wants to instill the fervor she has for knowledge in others. Throughout Dr. Black's life work, he profoundly proclaimed the miracle of dreams -- dreams that come true through hope, belief, and hard work. Ruby Johnson is living proof that Dr. Luther Black was right about the power of dreams and the presence of miracles.