Lou Summers Endowed Vocal Music Scholarship at NSU
Published: 2016-10-06
(Tahlequah, Oklahoma)--Through the Northeastern State University Foundation, the Lou Summers Endowed Vocal Music Scholarship has provided an annual scholarship to vocal students at NSU since its establishment in June 2010. This year, Caleb Cline and Lindsey Richmond, senior Vocal Music majors, were the recipients of the scholarship which honors the memory of Zelma Lou Summers.
Summers daughter, Linda Spyres created the vocal scholarship to honor her mother who took voice in college.
My mother had a beautiful voice and was quite an accomplished singer, Spyres said. She could sing opera and was a soprano.
Spyres said she always admired her mother and she wanted to create this scholarship in her memory. One thing she looks forward to each year is meeting the recipients of the scholarship.
I always enjoy talking with the students about their career plans, their life, where they came from and their interests, Spyres said. The students are such talented singers.
Richmond, a Wagoner native, said she loves being a vocal student.
Im lucky to spend every day doing something that I am passionate aboutits truly a dream come true.
The arts are often rated last or lowest in the world of education, Richmond said, but Spyres realizes the importance of the arts and its encouraging that she created this scholarship.
Richmond believes music is timeless and that it should be taught and encouraged.
This scholarship will help me to achieve my goal of becoming a music teacher where I can strive to better the world through my art.
Like Richmond, Cline, a Broken Arrow native, also loves being a vocal student and credits the program with giving him the opportunity to grow in his craft and learn about a subject that he is passionate about. He calls the scholarship a blessing.
It has provided so much help for me and my family for college and getting things figured out. So very thankful for the Lou Summers Scholarship and what it stands for, Cline said.
For more information regarding the Department of Music, please contact 918-444-2700.