NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

4/26/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - A scholarship has been established through the Northwestern State University Foundation to benefit a student in the College of Education.

The Doris G. Chester Endowed Scholarship will be awarded each year to a junior or senior education major. The scholarship was established by Tommy and Cindy Chester to honor Mr. Chester's mother.

"She thought being a teacher was the best thing you could do. It runs in our family," said Mr. Chester, explaining that many members of his immediate and extended family have worked in education as teachers and coaches.

Doris Chester attended Northwestern as a business education major in the 1940s. Although she did not graduate, she was a life-long learner and continued to take classes over the years, while working and caring for her family.

"In those days, they didn't offer a lot of night classes, but if they offered something and she could take it, she would," Mr. Chester said. "Mother was adamant about higher education. She thought education was very important. When I came along, there was no question that I was going to college. This is a way for me to honor her." Mrs. Chester passed away in 1994.

"Offering a scholarship in Mrs. Chester's name is a wonderful way to remember 'lessons taught and learned,'" said Dr. Vickie Gentry, Dean of the College of Education. "Because Mrs. Chester valued education and instilled these values in her children and grandchildren, they in turn are now sharing her values with others."

Recipients of the Doris G. Chester Endowed Scholarship must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or above. First preference will be given to a student from Bienville Parish, where Mr. Chester is a resident.

"By selecting a student with junior or senior classification and a strong grade point average, we are assured the recipient is a teacher candidate, meaning that he or she has met entry level requirements for a teacher education program," Gentry said. "Retention rates for a teacher candidate are very high. Therefore, the recipient will most likely demonstrate successful completion of a degree program."

Mr. Chester said the ideal candidate for the scholarship would be a well-rounded student with financial needs who possess the qualities to be a good educator.

"In today's society, you have to want to teach because it's a tough job," Chester said.

"This is an honorable tribute and we appreciate the gift by the Chester family,
Gentry said. "Many students will have the opportunity to complete their education as a result of this gift."

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