NEWS RELEASE

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

5/04/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES -The Service League of Natchitoches presented a $3,000 check to the Northwestern State University Foundation that will be dispersed among three scholarships the League annually funds, along with establishing three new endowments.

The Service League gift will provide $500 each for the Shirley Pittman Smiley Scholarship, the Marcia Thomas Pendleton Scholarship and the Anna Cloutier Harrington Memorial Scholarship. Additionally, the League is funding three new endowments of $500 each in the names of Smiley, Pendleton and Harrington.

"We are starting endowments in each name, as well as giving the $500 scholarships to three recipients," said Jill Bankston, assistant director of development at NSU and a Service League member. "We are giving something for the long term and something for the short term."

"This year, it was a priority for us that we give these scholarships and endowments and our members are excited that we were able to do so," said Service League President Tish McKnight. "We feel that this is a good way to remember these former members because these women gave a lot to the Service League and to the community."

The Shirley Pittman Smiley scholarship will be awarded to a nursing student with junior or senior standing who has completed specific coursework. The full-time student must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better and be of financial need. Preference will be given to a student from Natchitoches Parish who completed lower division education at NSU.

The Marcia Thomas Pendleton Scholarship will be presented to a junior or senior full-time student with a grade point average of at least 2.5 and demonstrating financial need. First preference will be given to a student from Natchitoches Parish.

The Anna Cloutier Harrington Memorial Scholarship will be presented to a full-time junior or senior female student majoring in physical education with a grade point average of 2.5 or better. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and a statement indicating the applicant's reason for applying for the scholarship, her need for financial assistance and career goals. Preference will be given to a student from Natchitoches Parish. Children of past or present members of the Service League are not eligible.

"We felt that by selecting students of junior or senior classification, the recipient would be more likely to finish with a degree," McKnight said.

Each scholarship is for one year. Recipients will be announced on May 15.

"The Service League is very proud to start these endowments and give to the NSU Foundation to help many students in the future. We will be giving to the endowments as our funds permit," McKnight said. "In today's society it is very important for students to get a degree and there are many students at NSU that would not be able to attend college if they did not receive some assistance."

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