MSU Student Named Young Foundation Scholarship Recipient

A Midwestern State University sophomore has been selected to receive a $75,000 scholarship from the George and Fay Young Foundation of Dallas. Carolyn Duque, an education major, is the first MSU student to benefit from the Young Scholars program.

Duque attended Irma Lerma Rangel High School in Dallas where she was involved in the Leaders for Readers program. Through this program she served as a reading tutor at a local learning center. She organized and contributed to major school functions and events such as Women's Month and Red Ribbon Week. Duque also participated in the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and served extensively in her local church community, where she was able to assist in teaching young students on weekends.

In addition to her full-time studies at MSU, Duque is active in the Arts and Literature Society, and Council for Exceptional Children. After graduation, she plans to use the experience and knowledge she obtained at MSU to teach elementary education, focusing on third and fourth grades. Influenced by her grandmother's passion for teaching, Duque's own desire is to share her intelligence and to blaze a trail for young students, encouraging them to their follow their aspirations.

The Young Foundation only recently named MSU as a fifth partner school to be a part of its Young Scholars program. Other schools include Trinity University, St. Edward's University, Schreiner University, and Austin College. Upon his retirement from the Young Foundation board, director Richard Ripley was honored to select a new school to be part of the program. Because Wichita Falls is his hometown, Ripley selected Midwestern State.

The Young Scholars Program was created to give opportunities to students who may not have access to higher education, said Christopher Shaw, Executive Vice President of the George and Fay Young Foundation. 

"Education is a differentiator in people's lives," Shaw said. "As someone who received funding for my education, I truly understand the power of higher education and the transformational opportunities it brings à When you can provide those opportunities to students who want to do well, the results are humbling. You are resetting the trajectory of somebody's life."

The foundation, in partnership with MSU, will provide scholarship funds in the amount of $25,000 per year over three years for a total commitment of $75,000. Scholarship funds will support the recipient beginning their sophomore year, and will continue for the three remaining years of the student's undergraduate degree should they meet and/or maintain the following criteria:

— Enroll with a minimum of 15 credits per semester.
— A demonstrated financial need.
— Funds will cover education related expenses only.
— Student must maintain a 3.5 GPA or better to retain scholarship each semester.
— Student will live in a residence hall at MSU.
— Participation in a study-abroad experience before completion of undergraduate studies.
— Student's chosen program of study will ideally align with one of the foundation's areas of focus - education, health care, science/environment, social work/social services, or business.

The George and Fay Young Foundation was founded as a charitable trust in 1985 and incorporated in 1993. The Youngs, longtime Dallasites, believed in giving back to the community which had given so much to each of them. Their legacy is carried on by second- and third-generation family members working with the foundation.