Elon College today announced a bequest of $3 million that will be used to establish a new scholarship program for North Carolina students with high financial need.
The program, titled “The Leon and Lorraine Watson North Carolina Scholarship Program” is endowed by the estate of Leon “Doc” Watson, a 1925 Elon graduate, and his wife, Lorraine Watson. It is the largest gift designated for scholarships in the college’s history.
Ten four-year Watson Scholarships will be awarded annually, benefiting a total of 40 students each year by the time the program is in full operation. Each of the Watson Scholarship recipients will receive a total financial aid package (which may include state and federal funds) ranging from a minimum of $10,000 annually up to the full cost of tuition, fees, room and board. The students also will be given $3,000 to fund a study abroad experience.
“Doc” Watson was a native of Kenly, N.C., and came from a family of modest means. Throughout his life, he expressed gratitude for the excellent education he received at Elon. The Watsons’ estate grew through sound financial investments, and Lorraine Watson wished to leave the majority of the couple’s assets to Elon to provide scholarships for young people who need help in financing their education. She established a scholarship in her husband’s name with a $10,000 gift in 1990, and added to it with this estate bequest. The Watsons retired in 1963 and lived in St. Petersburg, Fla. Mr. Watson died in 1979 and Mrs. Watson died in 1997.
“Because of the generosity of the Watsons, Elon College is able to offer expanded assistance to North Carolina students who are academically talented but lack the financial support to attend a private four-year college,” said Dr. Leo M. Lambert, Elon College president. “The Watson Scholarship, along with the North Carolina Legislative Tuition Grant (NCLTG) and the State Contractual Scholarship Fund (SCSF), provide an outstanding aid package. This demonstrates the strong commitment of Elon College and the state to providing an affordable education for North Carolinians.”
About 30 percent of the Elon’s 3,961 students come from 85 counties in North Carolina. The NCLTG provides $1,750 for every North Carolina student who attends a private college, and the state also gives private schools additional funding through the SCSF to provide a pool of money for North Carolina students who have financial need.
During the current academic year, 72% of Elon freshmen are receiving some form of financial aid. The average award is $8,167.
The Watson Scholarship recipients will participate in a mentoring program to promote academic success. The program will also encourage their full participation in the Elon Experiences, the college’s experientially-based learning opportunities that include service learning, study abroad, internships, leadership development and undergraduate research.
As freshmen, the Watson Scholarship recipients will take part in an intensive first-year orientation experience and will participate in the Emerging Leaders and volunteer service programs. As upperclassmen they will serve as mentors to incoming Watson Scholarship program participants.
To qualify, a student must be a graduate of a North Carolina high school, have a strong record of academic achievement and demonstrate a high financial need. Preference will be given to students who are eligible for Pell grants, the major federal grant program for low-income students.
Preference also will be given to students who meet the following criteria:
– are the first members of their family to attend college,
– reside in a school district with an above-average concentration of low income families,
– have achieved success despite hardship or unusual challenge,
– will bring cultural or socio-economic diversity to the college, and
– show evidence of a commitment to the improvement in the quality of life for all North Carolinians.
The Watson Scholarships will be available to new students beginning with the 2000-2001 academic year. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions, 2700 Campus Box, Elon College, NC 27244; call toll free 800-334-8448 or
e-mail: admissions@elon.edu.