REAL Possibilities: New Carpenter Scholarships to Reward Community Engagement
Candler has received a $75,000 grant from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation to fund scholarships for incoming Master of Divinity students who show a commitment to community engagement and social transformation. Beginning in the fall of 2015, the Carpenter Scholarship for Community Engagement will be awarded to five incoming MDiv students, each of whom will receive $5,000 annually for the duration of the three-year degree program.
Candidates will be considered for the scholarship based on their regular application for admission. Recipients will be awardees of other Candler scholarships who demonstrate academic excellence and possess a well-articulated commitment to community engagement and social transformation as expressed in their personal statement and supported by their resume and letters of recommendation provided as part of the application process.
“Community engagement and social transformation are at the core of Candler’s mission and values,” says Mary Lou Greenwood Boice, associate dean of admissions and financial aid. “They are woven into the culture of Candler and are powerful motivators for the students we attract. This new scholarship shows Candler’s serious commitment to support individuals with the passion and courage to pursue Christian ministry in community contexts.”
Integral to the community engagement experience at Candler is the school’s groundbreaking Contextual Education program, which integrates course work, service learning, and theological reflection. Students serve two years in churches, social service agencies, hospitals, and other clinical and ecclesial settings to gain practical experience. Recipients of the Carpenter scholarship will receive priority in selecting their Contextual Education sites to ensure a match to their primary areas of interest.
Support for student scholarships remains a top priority for Candler as the school continues to strengthen its commitment to educating faithful and creative leaders for the church’s ministries in the world. During the 2013-2014 academic year, 83 percent of Candler students received financial support, with the average scholarship covering 65 percent of tuition.