When scholarship recipients send “Thank You” notes to the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation, we know those messages are really meant for you, our friends and donors. Your prayer and financial support make the dreams of hundreds of students come true each year.

In the below letter, Leslie W., a first-year seminary student at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, expresses gratitude for what generous donors like you make possible:

Leslie, UMHEF Scholar

“Thank you very much for the extraordinarily generous scholarship. I am incredibly touched by the immense generosity, and I want everyone to know how much I truly appreciate your support and encouragement. Please know that it makes my dreams a reality, and I could not be here without you.

I am a hybrid student through SMU Perkins, so besides what goes toward books, your scholarship money helps me offset travel costs that accumulate as I make 5-6 trips from Birmingham, AL to Houston, TX each year for in-person classes.

I chose Perkins because the distance learning program was flexible enough to meet my family’s needs, and it emphasizes community and intentional relationship-building. Because I’m now able to continue making these trips and continue in my seminary program, I can continue investing in the lifelong relationships that God is blessing me with [at SMU Perkins].

Knowing and learning from these people will certainly strengthen my ministry. God is molding me using the people your scholarship allows me to study alongside!”

Over the coming weeks, please consider a 2022 year-end, tax-deductible gift to grow and sustain this work. The UMHEF staff and students, including Leslie, who received scholarships this year are grateful. Every gift makes an impact. Thank you!

Madison, Paine College Student & UMHEF Scholar

As she begins her junior year at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, Madison is striving for more through UMHEF. She is one of nearly 1,000 students around the world impacted by United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) scholarships this year.

A recipient of the UMHEF Martha Forrest Scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year, Madison is able to focus on her studies without struggling to cover the costs.

“This scholarship plays a role in successfully paying for my education and ensures I can reach my goals without having a doubt in my mind about paying for it.”

Madison, Paine College Student & UMHEF Scholar

With the support, Madison can focus on her studies and reach for her dreams. “I plan to work my way into pediatrics after I receive my undergraduate degree,” she says. “I love children, as well as helping people, so why not go into pediatrics and be the best at it?!”

A serious, driven student, Madison explains, “I always strive for more instead of settling for less.” Among her achievements, Madison was selected to represent Paine College as a White House Initiative Scholar in 2021. She adds, “This made a lot of people proud—including myself!” The staff of UMHEF is also proud—as I hope you are—to be a part of her journey.

Your contributions help thousands of young United Methodists like Madison, attending one of over 100 UM-related institutions of higher education, strive for more instead of settling for less.

Please consider a gift of $25, $50, $100, $500, or any amount to support our students. When you give to the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation, you empower our young people and set them up for success.

One UMHEF Donor Supports African Students with Endowment Fund

In Martha Rowlett’s book Weaving Prayer Into the Tapestry of Life, she wrote in the introduction, once done with most books they can be shelved or passed on, “but this book wants to hang around and be used. It would like to be a friendly companion to help you connect with God about the living of your life as you weave your personal life tapestry.”

That also describes Dr. Rowlett. If you’ve had the opportunity to spend time with her, you want to keep her around. Dr. Rowlett and her late husband, Dr. Robert Arnott established an endowed scholarship through the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. While working at Claremont School of Theology, Dr. Arnott visited Africa for a conference where he bonded with Bishop Lawi Imathiu and was inspired to establish an endowment that would provide scholarships for students from Africa attending United Methodist schools in the United States or Africa.

Over the past few years, Martha has so enjoyed receiving updates and letters of thanks from the students that she decided to gift a portion of her estate plan while she is still alive. Students like Fernando Domingos have benefitted from this gift. From Angola, Fernando is a member of Redentor United Methodist Church in the West Angola Annual Conference and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Africa University. With assistance from the Martha G. Rowlett and Robert J. Arnott Scholarship Endowment, Fernando is now working toward his Master of Divinity at Drew University with a focus in this area.

It is Martha’s goal to be able to see even more impact, but she claims that she is “simply following in their direction. This was Bob and Bishop Lawi’s dream and I know that they would’ve been happy to see this happen.”

If you are interested in establishing an endowed scholarship, or if you would like to support a current fund, please contact the UMHEF Development Officer, Melissa Houck by email or call (615) 649-3970.