Giving is difficult during a time when this country is experiencing such great economic problems, but the Mary S. Nelums Foundation mission to keep students in school is prevalent.
On Tuesday, January 27, 2009, the Mary S. Nelums Foundation gave its first $1,000 scholarship to Shamir C. Lee, a master of social work (MSW) student from Pittsburg, California.
The goal of the foundation is simple, “To provide scholarships so that (MSW) students may complete their social work degree and secure employment or become entrepreneurs in work that will allow them to assist and ameliorate some of the serious and debilitating social problems that plague people and communities,” said Nelums.
The foundation was founded by the premier masters of social work class (1995 -1997) from Jackson State University School of Social Work. This foundation was established in honor of Mary S. Nelums, a retired professor who dedicated her professional life to promoting public knowledge of social work. Because of Dr. Nelums’ passion and dedication, this scholarship is awarded to social work students who display the same kind of strong commitment and dedication to excellence in social work practice.
Ms. Shamir Lee was awarded this scholarship because she met the following criteria: (1) working on a master’s in social work, (2) a student at JSU, (3) have a GPA of a 3.5-4.0 on the 4.0 grade scale, and most importantly write an essay in which the person had to identify not only their need for the scholarship but also tell how they would use their social work degree to make a difference with people and in communities.
Nelums believes Lee had a strong sense of caring about the social problems that plague our communities, and the fact that she had a 4.0 G.P.A was a bonus. During the interview process, Lee moved the board with her “strong commitment and dedication to the social work profession and her desire to be competent in her practice,” said Nelums. “You could feel her passion.”
Lee is currently employed at the Department of Human Services here in Jackson, Miss. She said she has always wanted to work in social services every since she was a little girl, and she knew that in order to move to a position where she would be able to make a difference, she needed to advance her degree.
“Growing up with my family in California, I’ve always been in the group home atmosphere,” said Lee. “My family ran group homes and being in that environment, I always knew this (social work) was what I wanted to do.”
Lee credits her parents’ constant involvement in her life and her older sister as the motivation behind her success. Lee said even though her parents were divorced when she was young, they were always active and adamant about her education.
Lee thought it was ironic that she never thought about applying for the scholarship and was shocked to learn that she won. “Dr. Burson handed out the application to our class and two weeks later he reiterated about the scholarship, said Lee. “He told us the application deadline had been extended and he kept pushing for students to apply. That’s when I decided I didn’t have anything to loose by applying.”
Lee said she was very appreciative that she won. “When I first applied, I didn’t think too much about it,” said Lee. “After meeting the board, I thought, well maybe I could win this. I thought my interview went good and I never expected to win, but you never know.”
Lee believes she will have an illustrious career in the future and hopes to own her own group home in the future. She wants to own a group home for adolescent girls because she feels that girls need that positive attention. She would like to seek a PhD in the future but if not she is content with working in a field she loves where she believes she will be able to make an impact and have a bigger voice to make a difference.
“My life is a working process,” said Lee. “I’m still working, experiencing life, making mistakes, and learning from them. As long as you’re living, you can change and do better. When you know better, you do better and I feel like I’m learning how to be a better person.”
The Mary S. Nelums Foundation is hoping to give scholarships for the fall semester in August 2009. They want to make this a semiannual program where they will give two scholarships per year based on their available funds. Anyone interested in donating may make checks payable to: Mary S. Nelums Foundation, P.O. Box 12385, Jackson, MS 39236-2385. All donations are tax-deductible.
