William Carey University hosted its 11th Annual Scholarship Dinner Oct. 18 at Lake Terrace Convention Center, where 900 people gathered to hear guest speaker Tim Tebow.
A Heisman Trophy winner, Tebow is a retired professional football and baseball player. He is now a best-selling author, speaker and football analyst. But he is most passionate about his work with the Tim Tebow Foundation, whose mission is to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day.
“I always search for a speaker who is a godly person, who follows His word, and who lives that life,” said Dr. Lynne Houston, WCU vice president for university enhancement.
“Tim Tebow has stood the test of time. He stood the test in high school when he wore Philippians 4:13 in his eye black, and he stood the test in professional football when he wore John 3:16. He played for the Lord.”
One of the Tim Tebow Foundation’s ministries is “Night to Shine,” which enables young people with special needs enjoy a prom night experience. A group of local teens who took part in “Night to Shine” were Tebow’s guests at the scholarship dinner.
The evening also included the presentation of the Tim Tebow Scholarship to Srinivasulu Thaviti, a special education teacher in the McComb School District pursuing a specialist degree in emotional and behavioral disorders at the WCU School of Education.
“I’m surprised. I didn’t expect this. I have no words to describe. I’m really grateful and thankful to God and especially William Carey people,” Thaviti said.
Thaviti’s goal is to keep working in education with special needs children, especially in rural areas, and help them develop values, a sense of self-worth, and the ability to think critically.
WCU President Dr. Ben Burnett thanked the dinner guests for their financial support. More than 90 percent of William Carey students receive financial aid.
“The foundation for success, in any community or state, is the quality of education provided for its citizens. We are proud of the quality education provided at William Carey University and of our long history of 130 years of service,” Burnett said.
“As a private Christian institution, we rely on our community, alumni and churches to help make up the difference in our funding because we do not receive state funds. We are proud to say that Carey remains not only affordable in our tuition prices, but very competitive with other institutions across the south, including public colleges and universities. The only way we can do that is through generous gifts and support from people like you.”
The Hattiesburg scholarship dinner is one of many funding-raising events organized every year by the WCU Office of Advancement. For information, visit www.wmcarey.edu/advancment or email LHouston@WmCarey.edu.
In the photo:Tim Tebow, right, congratulates Srinivasulu Thaviti of the WCU School of Education, who received the Tim Tebow Scholarship during WCU’s 11th Annual Scholarship Dinner.
