As school gets back in session, we thought you might like to meet a few of the past recipients of the UM Foundation's Scholarships. Every year, the Georgia United Methodist Foundation partners with the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation and United Methodist churches to award United Methodist Dollars for Scholars scholarships to deserving students attending United Methodist institutions of higher education in Georgia. Last year, the United Methodist Foundation awarded 67 scholarships. The three students below share the impact these scholarships have had on their lives.
Philip Kuntz, senior
Candler School of Theology
Cosponsor: Dunwoody UMC
"I’ve always wanted to be a United Methodist minister. It’s what I feel called to do. It’s where my talents can be most utilized. It’s what I enjoy doing. It’s where I’ve learned the most in my life. This scholarship I received has been so helpful and so crucial to me doing all the things that I have hoped to do. Money is always an issue and expenses really pile up. When I found out that I received this scholarship, I felt great relief and comfort. It was exhilarating because I realized I could do all the things I needed to do to enrich my ministry."
Jaeyong Song
2013 graduate of Candler School of Theology
Cosponsor: Still Waters UMC
"I just received my Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology. I grew up in the United Methodist Church in Korea. When I decided to study abroad in the United States, some pastors and mentors who graduated from Candler recommended I come here. I was very excited and very grateful when I received the scholarship from the Georgia United Methodist Foundation because it helped pay my tuition so that I could finish my degree and start my ministry after graduation."
Aleta Walker, sophomore
Clark Atlanta University
Cosponsor: United Methodist Children’s Home
"I plan to become a social worker. Getting an education is so important to me because I saw how my mother struggled, even after we were taken away. When I went into foster care, I was bounced around from home to home. I want to be able to give my children what she couldn’t give me, and also return the favor to her for taking care of us the best way she could. I would like to thank the Georgia United Methodist Foundation for this scholarship, which enabled me to come to the school that I’ve always dreamed of."
The Georgia United Methodist Foundation helps United Methodist churches, ministries and members in Georgia sow seeds of faith for future generations by providing planned giving, investment, lending, fundraising and endowment services. The Foundation also gives grants and scholarships. For more information, call 770-449-6726 or 877-220-5664, e-mail info@gumf.org or visit gumf.org or gumfplannedgiving.org.