Making a Difference for 25 Years: Scholarships at CFMT

Going to college costs money, and lots of it.

For the past quarter-century, thousands of students have had their educational dreams become reality, thanks to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s scholarship program.

CFMT has awarded $27.7 million in scholarships to 10,450 students since 1995.

“We feel honored to help students receive a quality education, made possible by donors who wish to make a difference,” said CFMT President Ellen Lehman. “It is a privilege to connect generosity with need in this way.”

Whether a student is studying law or horticulture, planning a career in criminal justice or teaching, or studying at a technical school or four-year university, The Foundation’s scholarship program administers more than 125 individual scholarship funds that help support individuals from various backgrounds and communities.

Students benefiting from The Community Foundation’s scholarship program through the years include Muna Muday (top photo), Rachel Lawrence (middle), and Jeremiah Cooper (above).

Muna Muday, a student who benefited from The Community Foundation’s scholarship program.

Rachel Lawrence, a student who benefited from The Community Foundation’s scholarship program.

Jeremiah Cooper, a student who benefited from The Community Foundation’s scholarship program.

Pat Cole, senior coordinator of scholarships at The Community Foundation, began overseeing the program in 2005 after a long and successful career with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS).

“Ellen had asked me to join The Foundation three times,” Pat recalled. “I said I’d do it for a little while after I retired from MNPS, and I’m still here.”

She fully realizes the impact of the program.

“Scholarships change lives,” Pat said. “Often, students would not be able to attend college without them.”

Emily Green, a CFMT scholarship recipient, funded her education through two different scholarships, each focused on a different field of study. A harpist, she pursued a music major at Vanderbilt University, and received the Teddy Wilburn Scholarship.

The estate of Wilburn, a Grand Ole Opry star singer, songwriter and producer, established the scholarship fund — designed for Tennessee State and Vanderbilt University students — after his death in 2003. With his singing career beginning at age 9, he never had the chance to attend college and wanted to help eager students in need of financial aid.

Country music singer-songwriter and Grand Ole Opry star Teddy Wilburn established a scholarship through his estate that has benefited students.n

“I was really fortunate to run across CFMT while researching financial assistance,” Emily said. “I was on scholarship with Vanderbilt, as they have a lot of scholarships and grants available as well. But even with that, there are still extra expenses, and as a young person getting started, every little bit helps.

“It can be the difference between needing a loan,” she said, “and not needing a loan.”

After completing her undergraduate education, Emily decided to pursue law school, again at Vanderbilt. She applied for and received CFMT’s William McHugh and Lou Gower McHugh Scholarship for law school students. A few years after graduation, she went on to co-found her own law practice –Jones, Green & Tackett Law – in Springfield, Tennessee.

“With the student debt crisis, these scholarships can keep you from graduating with debt or with less debt,” Emily said. “They can be a huge benefit to people.

“This makes a huge difference to kids.”

“Throughout the process, I couldn’t have had more encouragement and support than I did from Pat,” Emily said. “The Community Foundation as a whole makes a student believe they can do anything.”

That’s music to Pat Cole’s ears.

“For me,” Pat said, “I love working with students and hearing their stories.”

Like Emily Green, Cole continues to stay in touch with scores of students who have benefited from CFMT’s scholarship program.

Trehon Cockrell-Coleman wanted to attend college but avoid accruing a lot of debt. His hard work and diligence paid off when he was awarded a CFMT scholarship award. Trehon moved forward to graduate with a degree in computer engineering from Tennessee State University in 2010 and continues to thrive in the field today as a production test engineer for Raytheon Technologies.

Trehon Cockrill-Coleman continues to keep in touch with Pat Cole, longtime Senior Coordinator of Scholarships at The Community Foundation. Brothers Justin (left) and Jeremyck Smith of the popular Nashville band Roots of the Rebellion were helped by Tapping Individual Potential (TIP) Scholarships.

“People say that they want a scholarship, and they receive one and they think it stops there,” Trehon said. “I did receive a scholarship from CFMT, but more than that, Pat Cole and The Foundation have stayed in contact with me.

“Every time I visit Nashville, I try to get on Pat’s calendar.”

The Community Foundation offers multiple categories of scholarships ranging from attending a specific university or studying a specific major to being an employee or child of an employee of a company or attending college as an adult.

In addition to donor scholarships, The Community Foundation manages scholarships for companies. By setting up a scholarship fund through The Community Foundation, companies don’t have to burden their Human Resources department with the management of the scholarship but still get to offer a scholarship program as a benefit to their employees.

Honoring the Memory of a Loved One

There are many reasons people are interested in starting a scholarship fund, but one of the most common ones is in memory of a loved one.

Such was the case for the family and friends of Cameron Black Parnell.

Anyone who knew Cameron would describe him as a rock, a gentle giant. With a smile that could light up any room, Cam truly had the gift of joy; he loved life and all it had to offer.

During his 31 years, he was a beloved member of his family, a loyal friend, a world traveler, and an adventurer. In the fifth grade, Cam declared he’d be a pilot when he grew up and actually followed that dream, graduating from Middle Tennessee State University with a BS in Aerospace Administration with a professional pilot emphasis, and holding a successful career as a pilot.

Notably, Cameron served as President of the Moosemen Rugby Club at MTSU, where his rugby teammates became his lifelong brothers.

With the loss of Cam, the establishment of the Cameron Black Memorial Scholarship Fund can work to continue and share Cam’s spirit and legacy.

Pat Cole explained how the work of CFMT scholarships can prove helpful during an uneasy and emotional time, “We hold the hands of donors during these emotional experiences. Our 25 years of experience [administering scholarships] sets us apart.”

Helping Children Reach Their Potential

The Community Foundation’s scholarship program doesn’t just help advance college education.

Tapping Individual Potential (TIP) is The Foundation’s scholarship that helps rising fifth- through-eighth-grade Metro Nashville public school students pursue interests and skills that may be out of reach because of limiting financial or other circumstances.

By receiving a TIP Scholarship, brothers Jeremyck and Justin Smith were able to lay the early groundwork to pursue their dream of becoming professional musicians. Today, the brothers are members of Roots of a Rebellion, a Billboard chart-topping, reggae jam band.

“To a kid, just hearing, ‘Yeah, you can do this’ — that goes a long way,” Jeremyck Smith said.

“The Tapping Individual Potential program looks for individual children who have a particular dream, who have a particular talent,” CFMT’s Lehman explained. “And where the application of a little bit of money would be able to get them over the speed bump, and make it possible for them to recognize and realize their dream, then why hold them up?”

Starting a Scholarship

By starting a scholarship fund, donors can create a lasting legacy and helping Middle Tennessee students achieve their educational goals.

To learn more about CFMT’s scholarship program, please www.cfmt.org/scholarship or call (615) 321-4939.