The Rotary Club of Dayton awarded scholarships to current Bryan College freshmen Elizabeth Deardurff and Kristopher Lafferty
The Rotary Club of Dayton awarded scholarships to current Bryan College freshmen Elizabeth Deardurff and Kristopher Lafferty at the annual Rotary luncheon on Bryan’s campus.
The Rotary Scholarship has been in place at Bryan for over 50 years, a span of time Vice President of Advancement Chuck Baker called “extremely remarkable” in his statements at the luncheon. He said, “On behalf of Dr. Livesay and all of us here at Bryan College, I want to express our appreciation for this scholarship gift: Thank you, Dayton Rotary Club, for your generosity!”
After his remarks Mr. Baker introduced the two scholarship recipients to the Rotary Club. Ms. Deardurff stepped up to the podium first. A freshman from Spring City, Tenn., Ms. Deardurff has come to Bryan as a biology major. Watching her mother in her career as a nurse has fueled the same passion in this young student. She intends to go into nursing and specialize in oncology, especially pediatric oncology. She told the Rotarians, “I want to thank you all so much for this scholarship. It means a lot to me and my mom!”
Mr. Lafferty also hails from Spring City, although he and his family are originally from Minnesota. He echoed Ms. Deardurff’s gratitude in his own statement: “I would like to say what an honor it is to be chosen as the male recipient for this scholarship. It’s really going to help with paying for books, tuition, and all the bills I’m going to have to pay. I came to Bryan to get my master’s in biblical studies, and after four years here, I’m going to St. Louis, Mo., to attend Concordia Seminary, where I’ll be for another four years to become a pastor.”
Mr. Lafferty commented on how, even though he originally chose Bryan in part because of the short distance to his family, the college’s faculty and staff have become like a second family. “I love how – especially in a secular world – Bryan remains faithful to its mission with how we’re supposed to live our lives through Christ each and every day,” he said. “I’d like to thank the members of the Rotary Club of Dayton for this honor. May God bless each and every one of you.”