More of an Investment Than a Gift

The Gift of a Scholarship: Noah Allen-Darden

Receiving a scholarship played a significant role in Noah Allen-Darden’s research pursuits, as it demonstrated the impact scholarships can provide for both students and degree programs.

Allen-Darden, a history major, was awarded the Ethel Chapin Morgan Scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Department of History.

“The Chapin Morgan Scholarship allowed me to go above and beyond academically in ways that I may not have been able to without the scholarship,” says Allen-Darden, a Fall 2021 graduation candidate from Cleveland, Tennessee. “It was great to know that I had people on the faculty who were confident enough in me and my academic capabilities to select me for the award.

“History is a big passion of mine. I wanted to go into history because I’ve always loved it and I feel it’s one of those subjects that gives you a perspective on everyday life.”

Allen-Darden says the funding he received from the Chapin Morgan Scholarship, in conjunction with a second scholarship from the UTC Council of Scholars, allowed him to travel for research purposes to the University of Virginia Archives in Charlottesville.

Over the last year, he has been researching Harry F. Byrd, a long-serving senator from Virginia. From 1926 to 1930, Byrd served as governor of Virginia before representing the state as a U.S. Senator from 1933 until 1965.

“This scholarship has been extremely helpful. It’s really more of an investment than just an outright gift,” he says.

“This was so helpful in taking care of some of the expenses of college life, particularly in securing hotel accommodations when I went to Charlottesville. Receiving the scholarship allowed me to do some things that will help me stand out when I go into graduate-level studies.”