Thanks to the League of Women Voters of Murfreesboro and Rutherford
County, eligible students in the MTSU College of Liberal Arts can get a
financial boost toward gaining a memorable internship experience.
A special reception held earlier this fall celebrated the recent
endowment of the Mary Foye Huhta Scholarship to honor the late MTSU supporter
and former Murfreesboro City Council member.
The College of Liberal Arts decided to partner with the League of
Women Voters to develop a scholarship for students within the college who've
shown interest in government, civic engagement and local politics. The college
plans to award the first scholarship in spring 2018.
Family and close friends gathered at the residence of Dr. Jean Anne
Rogers in mid-October to commemorate what was only an idea this time last year.
Now Huhta’s legacy will be passed on to aspiring students seeking to improve
their communities.
"She (Huhta) was a huge advocate for doing what's right; she
was concerned and loved her community and also passionate for good
government," said Rogers, a local optometrist.
"I hope the person who wins this scholarship could live up to
her name and give back to the community … I think to receive something, it
would make you want to give back.”
Meredith Kerr, development director for College of Liberal Arts,
lauded the league for playing “a tremendous role in making (the scholarship)
happen.”
The scholarship honors and recognizes the numerous civic
contributions Huhta made to the Murfreesboro community before she was
tragically killed in her Florida condominium in 2016.
In 1965, she joined the League of Women Voters shortly after moving
to Murfreesboro. The nonpartisan organization, formed locally in 1957,
encourages active participation of all citizens in government.
"She strived to make people be the best that they could
be," Rogers said. "Leading by example, she walked the walk and talked
the talk."
Huhta would go on to become the first woman elected to the City Council
and during her time there served as finance chair, vice president and
president.
"She was a mentor and a friend to many, me included,” Rogers
said. “Whoever wins (the scholarship) will have big shoes to fill.”
Kerr said the scholarship is meant to help recipients with living
expenses or other financial responsibilities in order to keep them on track
with their educations.
"When you're looking at internship expenses ... that money will
really help so many students because some of them are unable to work, so this
helps offset the cost of that," Kerr said.
Rogers noted that endowing the scholarship took a communitywide fundraising
effort. Donors such as Huhta’s daughters, Becky Huhta Duke and Suzanne Huhta
Payson, played an integral part in making it happen, she said.
Those wishing to contribute to the Mary Foye Huhta Scholarship
should visit http://www.mtsu.edu/give
or contact Meredith Kerr at Meredith.Kerr@mtsu.edu
or call 615-898-5223.
Students interested in applying for the scholarship should contact
the MTSU College of Liberal Arts at 615-898-5986.
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