Anonymous donor funds teachers’ graduate studies
Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006
BENTONVILLE — Two Bentonville teachers said they were "overwhelmed"by an anonymous donor’s gift. The benefactor awarded Pamela Vandevoir and Jennifer Little each a $3,000 scholarship to attend graduate school at Harding University, Bentonville.
Cecil Boothe, director of the Harding University Northwest Arkansas Professional Center in Bentonville and associate professor, personally presented letters of congratulations to the women Thursday afternoon. "When the university placement office notified us about this gift,"Boothe explained," they mentioned that in making the donation, the donor made the comment: ‘This person has the depth of character to make a positive impact on public education.’ I’m very pleased that you’re both attending Harding, Bentonville. We look forward to working with you and we’re very proud of you. I know you will continue to make a positive impact on students."
Both educators are scheduled to begin the upcoming school year at Centerton Gamble Elementary School, one of the Bentonville School District’s new buildings scheduled to open for the 2006-07 school year. Vandevoir will work as a reading recovery teacher, and Little will serve as assistant principal. The women have both been at Sugar Creek Elementary School in Bentonville for a few years, while Gary Lane was principal of the school. He will be the principal at the new school in Centerton. Lane attended the brief presentation. "The scholarships could not have gone to more deserving teachers,"Lane said. "I know they will continue to make a positive difference in the lives of students. I’m certainly happy for them and proud of both of them."
Although the donor’s identity remains a mystery, the scholarships were given in honor of Lowell and Judith Carmical of Rogers. Lowell is with the Arkansas Department of Economic Development, and Judith is a longtime teacher and school administrator. She said she and her husband were delighted when they learned about the scholarships. "We’re very honored,"Judith Carmical said, smiling. "I retired from public school education three years ago. I taught at Grace Hill Elementary in Rogers and later worked as the principal at Rogers’ Bonnie Grimes Elementary. I am now teaching graduate students at Harding University’s Bentonville Professional Center.
"And what’s so amazing to me is that Jennifer Little — one of the scholarship recipients — and I have known each other for a long, long time. I was her fourth-grade teacher. Then I hired her later. She was a wonderful counselor at Grimes (Elementary School). Now, I will be teaching her again in the master’s program at Harding (Bentonville). Isn’t that something? And I still remember when she was a cute little fourth-grade student. The scholarships for both teachers are wonderful."
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