Lewis family endows
special-ed scholarships
By Carl Voelcker
FSU Foundation
Margaret and Fred Lewis of Panama City, both of whom have long histories
of community service, are endowing a $100,000 scholarship fund in special
education at the Florida State University College of Education.
The endowment, through Florida State's Capital Campaign, An Investment In
Learning, is eligible for state matching funds.
"We hope this scholarship fund will help to encourage students to specialize
in special education," said Margaret Lewis. "Special needs students
need specially trained teachers, and we hope to be able to see that kind
of training continue at FSU.
"There are four generations of us," she said. "My mother,
my two children, and my granddaughter are all FSU graduates, and I am a
graduate of FSCW. So we decided it was time to give something back."
According to special education department Chairman Mark Koorland, incentives
like the Lewis scholarship help to attract students to the program.
"As the costs associated with education rise, more students are forced
to work while attending classes to make ends meet. Scholarships like this
can not only attract talented students, but can help them get their degrees
in a more timely fashion," said Koorland.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to support students who want to teach
those with disabilities."