The Community Foundation of East Alabama
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 165
Opelika, AL 36803-0165
Physical Address:
1103 Glenn Street
Opelika, AL 36801
334.705.5138
334.744.1020
SCHOLARSHIPS
CFEA scholarships are endowed through generous donors who want to help students achieve a brighter future continue to grow.
CFEA scholarships are endowed through generous donors who want to help students achieve a brighter future continue to grow. The first named scholarship was established in 2011, and today we have seven named scholarships. Since then, the Community Foundation of East Alabama has grown the number of scholarships to a total of 13, awarded to students in the East Alabama regions. The awards for these scholarships vary from $500 per year to $1,000 a year for 4 years.
The Community Foundation is working to ensure that every child in East Alabama has an opportunity to further his or her education. Please see below the Foundation’s scholarship funds and the primary contact information. For general inquires, you may contact Barbara Patton, President, at [email protected].
ESTABLISHED SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship Amount
This Scholarship is an annual one-time $1,200 scholarship award.
Eligibility
A graduating senior from Lee County who intends to pursue any visual arts medium including drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics or intermedia and digital arts through higher education such as Technical College, College, or Art School.
Background
As a result of a car accident his sophomore year at Auburn University, Tom became a quadriplegic but he was determined not to let that define him. A self-taught artist from an early age, Tom became an accomplished artist, winning awards and competitions all over the Southeast. Never one to focus on his disability, Tom always emphasized his work and wanted his art to just be appreciated for art.
The Joe Beckwith Memorial Endowment Scholarship
The Joe Beckwith Memorial Endowment Scholarship is an annual one-time $1,000 scholarship awarded to an Auburn High School male baseball athlete based on the athlete’s character, academic record, sportsmanship and need. The Joe Beckwith Memorial Scholarship was established by the family and friends of Joe Beckwith, who pitched for Auburn High School and then for Auburn University before winning two World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981 and with the Kansas City Royals in 1985. Joe left the legacy of a hometown legend who made it to the biggest stage then gave it all back to his community and more. More importantly to others, he was a loving husband, a wise coach and a dear friend.
Johnny Adrian Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is a one-time annual award in the amount of $2,000 and was established in 2018, by the friends and family of Johnny Adrian for a student at Auburn High School. Johnny passed away at age 43 after battling a brain tumor for 9 years. Johnny Adrian was a native of Auburn, a graduate of AHS, and Auburn University. He had a successful career in insurance, loved sports, in particular high school and recreational sports.
Kelleigh McConnell Meredith Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is an annual one-time awarded scholarship established in the memory of Kelleigh Meredith, a native of Opelika and a teacher at AHS, for students in the communities of East Alabama and, in particular, for graduates from Auburn, Beauregard, Smith Station or Opelika High School. Preference is given to a female student, but is not the controlling factor. Usually, two $500 scholarships are awarded each year but the number and the amount are determined in January.
The Peggy and Bill Lazenby Memorial Scholarship
These Scholarship are an annual $1,000 for four-years scholarship established in the memory of Peggy and Bill Lazenby. Bill and Peggy promoted science throughout their lives, leaving lasting contributions to the City of Opelika. Bill founded the Medical Arts Clinic, the Surgical Clinic and helped lead the growth of EAMC. Peggy taught Biology for years before retiring to raise their three children who all became physicians. The Peggy & Bill Lazenby Scholarship is awarded to Opelika High School students who are majoring in a STEM field, and exhibit leadership, sportsmanship, and good citizenship.
The Rachel Branch Meadows Memorial Scholarship
This Scholarship is an annual one-time $1,000 music / art scholarship established in the memory of Rachel Meadows, a native of Dadeville, AL, and an active member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church where she served as the pianist for over 50 years. The Rachel Branch Meadows Scholarship is awarded yearly to a potential student within the Alabama Tallapoosa County School System with plans on earning a major or a minor in Art or Music.
National Village Ladies Club Scholarship
This Scholarship sponsors an annual award to one female Opelika high school senior in the amount of $3,000. The student must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, school and community involvement and a desire for higher learning. The award is to be used for tuition, fees, books and any other legitimate educational expense.
The Lee-Macon Workforce Scholarship
This Scholarship is an annual one-time $5,000 scholarship established by Katherine and Howard Porter. The Lee-Macon Workforce Scholarship is awarded to students at Booker T. Washington High School in Tuskegee, AL, who are seeking a degree in the technical field at either Southern Union State Community College or Central Alabama Community College.
The Wayne Murphy Memorial Scholarships
These Scholarships are an annual one-time $500 scholarship awarded to an Auburn High School female and male athlete based on each of the athlete’s character, academic record, sportsmanship and need. The Wayne Murphy Memorial Scholarship was established by the family and friends of Donald Wayne Murphy Sr., who was an Auburn High School track and football coach and became the Athletic Director at Auburn High School. Mr. Murphy touched many lives throughout his coaching career and was always able to motivate his athletes to run faster, run farther, jump higher and perform better.
The Nancy Parker Education Fund Scholarship
This Scholarship is established by the family and friends of Nancy, an Opelika native and an award winning journalist, who perished in a plane crash in New Orleans while doing a story. A graduate of the University of Alabama, a wife, mother of 3 children, Nancy was a five-time Emmy Award winner and eight-time Emmy nominee who spent almost thirty years covering news in Louisiana. Receiving numerous other awards like five Edward R. Murrow awards, she valued the role education played in her life, as do her mother and father, Patsy and Bill Parker.
This scholarship is for an Opelika High School graduating senior.
The Barber-Vallely Family Scholarship
This Scholarship is a one-time award in the amount of $1,000 to a student graduating from Opelika High School. Bob Barber joined the US Marine Corps after graduating from Opelika High School and retired in 2014 after serving more than 20 years. Cara taught in the Alabama Public schools and is an Advocate for Military Families across the nation. Graduates of Auburn University, they reside in St. Augustine, FL with their two children, Connor and Abby.
The Opelika Civitan Club Scholarship
This Scholarship is established by the Opelika Civitan Club for an Opelika High School senior. The Opelika Civitan Club served the Opelika community from its inception in 1950 until 2020 when the organization closed. They had innumerable service projects throughout their years and made a huge impact in the community for those in need. They built their own meeting house on the corner of West Point Parkway and Ridge Road. Apart from the Club activities and events held there, many people have fond memories of other social functions that took place there.
The Tom Meadows Memorial Scholarship
This Scholarship is a one-time $1,000 scholarship awarded to a graduating senior of the Tallapoosa County School System seeking a major in either the Forestry or Agricultural field. The Tom Meadows Memorial Scholarship was established by the family and friends of Tom Meadows, who from an early age had a fondness and respect for the outdoors, animals, and nature. For 37 years Mr. Meadows worked for the Forestry Department of Alabama Power and managed their timber lands throughout the state, where he knew every tree, shrub and blade of grass that was native to our state and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others.
The John E. Melson and Margaret Linch Melson Scholarship
This Scholarship is established by the family in memory of John and Margaret for an Opelika High School graduating senior. John served the Army in WWII and after the war, the couple made their home in Opelika. They were married for 70 years and had three daughters, Barbara, Sally and Lela. Very active in the community and in their church, they enjoyed many friends and social activities.
The Community Foundation of East Alabama is a 501(c)3 organization.