Social work major Ferguson awarded Jeltz scholarship

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Whitney Ferguson, a junior majoring in social work, was awarded a $900 scholarship from the Jeltz Scholarship Foundation during a meeting at the Center for Admissions and Student Enrollment at Northeastern State University.

Ferguson was presented the award by Dr. James L. Mosely, trustee chairman, on Sept. 10.

"A friend and I were researching scholarships last year and discovered the Jeltz Foundation," Ferguson said. "My friend applied and was awarded a Jeltz scholarship last year. I decided to apply this year and I am grateful that I was selected."

A graduate of Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Ferguson has begun her first semester at NSU as a full-time student and a resident on the Tahlequah campus. She previously earned credit hours at NSU-Broken Arrow.

"I love the NSU campus," she said. "There are so many resources. I really don't see how a student can fail with so much encouragement. The faculty and staff are friendly and courteous and the students are also friendly. Living at NSU is a great experience."

Ferguson originally attended Tulsa Community College before transferring to Northeastern. She maintained a 3.14 cumulative grade-point average at TCC.

Mosely said he first met Ferguson when presenting a Jeltz scholarship at NSUBA in 2011.

"We talked and I told her I thought she would be a good candidate," he said. "At the time, she was enrolled in only nine hours, and we want recipients to be enrolled full time in at least 12 hours. Whitney is an impressive young lady, makes nice grades and presents herself very well. The Jeltz Foundation is pleased to award her a scholarship."

The late Wyatt and Mattie Jeltz were African-American Oklahomans who dedicated their lives to education, employment opportunities and community service. The Jeltz Scholarship Foundation was endowed through assets they willed.

Jeltz scholarships provide assistance to minority students to pay for education expenses including tuition, fees and books. Recipients must be enrolled full time at a public Oklahoma institution, have accumulated at least 30 credit hours with a minimum 2.8 cumulative grade-point average, possess "good personal character" and demonstrate financial need.