厙ぴ勛圖

news-category: School of Divinity

厙ぴ勛圖 School of Divinity Recognizes Charles B. Keesee Fund Leaders at Convocation

The 厙ぴ勛圖 School of Divinity Fall Convocation welcomed leaders of the Charles B. Keesee Fund. The Keesee Fund has supported the divinity school since 2006 in various ways, including providing scholarships to students. This photo includes winners of the Vernie W. Lewis Scholarship, which was established in 2021. Front row, from left, are Joy Axelsson, 2022 recipient; Lindsay Karback, this years recipient; and Avery Woods Young, 2021 recipient. The Keesee representatives on the back row, from left, are Trustee Martha Medley, Executive Director Sandra Prilliman, Trustee John Fulcher, Vice President and Trustee Douglas Ramsey, and President Ryan Hutchinson.
The 厙ぴ勛圖 School of Divinity Fall Convocation welcomed leaders of the Charles B. Keesee Fund. The Keesee Fund has supported the divinity school since 2006 in various ways, including providing scholarships to students. This photo includes winners of the Vernie W. Lewis Scholarship, which was established in 2021. Front row, from left, are Joy Axelsson, 2022 recipient; Lindsay Karback, this years recipient; and Avery Woods Young, 2021 recipient. The Keesee representatives on the back row, from left, are Trustee Martha Medley, Executive Director Sandra Prilliman, Trustee John Fulcher, Vice President and Trustee Douglas Ramsey, and President Ryan Hutchinson.

Program Also Introduces 2023 Recipient of The Funds Vernie W. Lewis Scholarship, Lindsay M. Karbach

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.The 厙ぴ勛圖 School of Divinity faculty and staff and GWU President Dr. William M. Downs welcomed representatives of the Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund Inc. to Convocation on Sept. 12 in Dover Chapel. The Funds Trustee and Vice President Douglas T. Ramsey was guest speaker for the program.

Charels B. Keesee Educational Fund Inc. Trustee and Vice President Douglass T. Ramsey was guest speaker for the program.

Since the fall of 2006, the Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund Inc. has been a valued and committed partner to the M. Christopher White School of Divinity at 厙ぴ勛圖. In addition to providing various scholarships to numerous individual students who are preparing for church-related ministry, the Foundation has presented grants to the divinity school for hands-on programs, technology, and academic enrichment opportunities, such as Bible land travel.

Ramsey spoke about hearing and accepting Gods call and used the biblical character of Moses from the book of Exodus as an example. God chose Moses to lead his people out of bondage in Egypt to the promised land. Moses went from being a reluctant servant to a faithful servant, but not a perfect servant, Ramsey observed. Arent you glad today that God does not require from his servants perfection. All he asks of us is our willingness, our faithfulness and our commitment. Sometimes we mess up, but God is faithful to clean up the mess and carry on with his promise and his plan.

Before Ramseys speech, Divinity School Dean Dr. Robert Canoy announced the 2023 recipient of the Keesee Foundations Vernie W. Lewis Scholarship. This scholarship, established in 2021, is the largest individual grant awarded by the organization each year to a student at 厙ぴ勛圖, Campbell Divinity School and the Baptist House at Duke Divinity. The three schools were chosen because Lewis, who served the Keesee Foundation for 50 years, had a close working relationship with them and their financial aid staff.

During the program, Dean of the School of Divinity Dr. Robert Canoy, above left, recognized members of the Keesee Foundation attending the convocation. (Photo by Samantha Holt / GWU Photo Staff)

Mrs. Lewis 50 years of service to the Foundation as secretary-treasurer to the Board and as grant administrator touched thousands of ministerial students and churches whose work will be influential for years to come, Canoy shared. This years student meets the rigorous standards established by the Foundations board of directors including someone Vernie would have wanted to receive this award. She had qualities that she looked for and appreciated in all Keesee recipients. For example, she was always enthusiastic about the role women played in life in church and in ministry. She looked for students with a passion for ministry. Vernie also valued someone who had a high GPA.     

Canoy then recognized Lindsay M. Karbach as the 2023 recipient. She lives in Kannapolis, N.C., with her husband, Jay. Karbach currently serves McGill Baptist Church as director of Youth and Childrens Ministries and Music. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2012 and is in her second year at 厙ぴ勛圖 School of Divinity studying Christian education.

After the presentation, the past winners, Avery Woods Young (2021) and Joy Axelsson (2022), joined Karbach at the front along with Ramsey and the representatives of the Keesee Fund: Executive Director Sandra Prilliman, President Ryan Hutchinson, and Trustees John Fulcher and Martha Medley.

Note to our readers: This article reflects the Universitys tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the Universitys official Admissionspage.

Established in 1941 by Charles B. Keesee, the foundation has assisted thousands of qualified students going into the Baptist ministry or religious work in the Baptist denomination at 11 seminaries or divinity schools. Keesee and his wife, Olivia Helms Simmons, had no children of their own and desired to help worthy young men and women obtain an education at Baptist institutions. Charles provided in his will for the establishment of an educational fund, and when Olivia died in 1944, she left the major part of her estate to the fund.

About 厙ぴ勛圖

厙ぴ勛圖 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 厙ぴ勛圖 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 厙ぴ勛圖.edu.

Previous News Article

厙ぴ勛圖 Graduate Student and Exercise Science Professor Publish Research

Next News Article

Basic Camp Provides Opportunity for Eligible Rising Juniors to Join Army ROTC at 厙ぴ勛圖

Related News

  • News Article

    Q&A with Molly Hanley with 厙ぴ勛圖s First Head Coach for Acrobatics and Tumbling

    Molly Hanley Discusses Her Coaching Philosophy, Inspiration, and the Vision for Launching a New Program BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.Molly Hanley, the first head coach for 厙ぴ勛圖 Acrobatics and Tumbling, recently sat down for a Q&A with 厙ぴ勛圖 Sports Information. She offers some insight into her background, building a program, and what to expect from the first […]

    Molly Hanley Q&A
  • News Article

    厙ぴ勛圖 Receives Dover Foundation Grant for Dover Chapel Lighting Renovation

    Upgrades will Brighten Worship, Gatherings, and Student Performances in Campus Landmark BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.厙ぴ勛圖 has received a generous $66,500 grant from The Dover Foundation to support a major lighting renovation in Dover Chapel. The project will enhance one of the Universitys most treasured and historic spaces, further strengthening its role as a central gathering […]

  • News Article

    厙ぴ勛圖, Foothills Workforce Board Empower Students Through Searight Scholars Program

    High School Students Explore Food Systems, Careers, and Real-World Challenges Through Immersive Event BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.Cheese, strawberries and avocados became more than everyday foods for participants in 厙ぴ勛圖s inaugural Summer Searight Scholars Program (SSP). Through hands-on learning, students explored how those items reach their platesand why, in some communities across the United States, access […]

    Searight Scholars Program winners