Since its establishment on the 13th of November, 1993 by the class 1948 The Andalusia High School Scholarship Foundation (AHSSF) has given the four-year scholarships of the 26 Andalusia High School graduates. Aubree Caldwell who is who is an Auburn University freshman, and Aiden Vines, a freshman at the University of Alabama-Huntsville are among the current recipients of Foundation’s 4-year scholarship.
In 2008 the Foundation increased its support for academics to AHS graduates with the introduction of with an International Study Program (ISP). ISP offers fellowships to exceptional AHS alumni who are undergraduate students at college and wish to be part of an academic study abroad programs during the summer.
Initial leadership as well as financial backing for ISP was arranged through the passing of Murray Findley of the AHS Class of 1948. He was also an original Trustee of AHSSF. Findley is a renowned global textile executive, started taking classes at an academic program at the University of Cambridge in the International Sumer Program at the age of 26 in 1986. He was later awarded a master’s diploma in international relations from Cambridge for international studies.
In the last 15 years, more than 20 AHS graduates have been awarded these studies abroad summer fellowships. Most recipients of fellowships have chosen to attend Cambridge University. University of Cambridge in England. Exa Johnston Skinner AHS class of 2004 was the very one of the first recipients of ISP. After completing an ISP program called the Cambridge International Summer Program, Exa graduated from the University of Alabama and is currently Director Deputy at Kentuck Art Center and Festival. Kentuck Art Center and Festival in Tuscaloosa. The second recipient is Anna Williams Copeland, an Auburn University graduate, is currently employed by PowerSouth as the lead engineer. She is also the Co-Chair for the foundation’s scholarship Committee.
The most recent recipient of the fellowship has been Ava Ramsden, AHS Class of 2020 A sophomore at University of Alabama.
The summer before, Foundation President Harvey “Pete” Donaldson was invited guest to The Cambridge International Study Program. During his stay in the Cambridge campus, he took an international relations course “World order under stress” which was taught by Professor Sir Tony Brenton, retired British Ambassador to Russia. Donaldson was a regular diner within The Queens College “Old Hall” dining room, which was with a rich history that dates to 1448.
In his interactions with the Program Director Sarah Ormrod and Ava Ramsden, Donaldson learned first-hand about the Cambridge program’s academic excellence as well as its international engagement. As he reflected on his trip, Donaldson said, “I anticipate reporting back on the Foundation Board about my brief Cambridge trip. My visit strengthened my dedication towards this International Study Program. I am convinced that the chance to study and live in Cambridge’s University of Cambridge campus has made it possible for us to provide all the Foundation Fellows with a broad understanding of the academic and cultural world which will be extremely beneficial in their return back to the Andalusia community, or whatever direction their career may lead them.”
The article AHS Scholarship Foundation celebrates 15 years of studying abroad appeared at The Andalusia Star-News.
