History of DPSSF
In 1978, Mrs. Eula Miller, President of the Durham County Schools Citizens Advisory Committee Association did a survey of the DCSCACA members of things for which they saw the greatest need. The overwhelming response was scholarships for students of middle-income families.
A committee of Mrs. Miller, Nezzie Carter-Moore, Joyce Wasdell, Cindy Gardiner, Linda Chandler and Doug Biddy met and discussed the possibility of establishing an independent scholarship foundation. After a couple of brainstorming sessions, the committee involved other school administrators and parents. Under the leadership of Mrs. Eula Miller and the hard work of several dedicated people, the Durham county Schools Scholarship Foundation became a reality. A decision was made to award at least one scholarship to one student from each of the three county high schools. The first three awards were given in 1980. More than 350 awards have been given since that time. Some of these have been possible through memorials and endowments.
From 1980 through 1984 the awards were $500. In 1985 and 1986, the awards were raised to $750. Beginning in 1987, $1000 awards have been given to high school seniors. Currently, Foundation Scholarships are $3000.
It has been the goal of the Foundation to give scholarships off the interest of the monies raised. In 1990, this became a reality due to the generous donations that have been made to the Foundation and through our annual fundraiser, “An Evening of Entertainment.”
In January of 1993, we changed our name to the DPS Scholarship Foundation to reflect the unity of the former city and county schools systems. Foundation Scholarship applications were made available to seniors in all of the system’s schools. We were able to award at least one scholarship to a senior all of the high schools.
A committee of Mrs. Miller, Nezzie Carter-Moore, Joyce Wasdell, Cindy Gardiner, Linda Chandler and Doug Biddy met and discussed the possibility of establishing an independent scholarship foundation. After a couple of brainstorming sessions, the committee involved other school administrators and parents. Under the leadership of Mrs. Eula Miller and the hard work of several dedicated people, the Durham county Schools Scholarship Foundation became a reality. A decision was made to award at least one scholarship to one student from each of the three county high schools. The first three awards were given in 1980. More than 350 awards have been given since that time. Some of these have been possible through memorials and endowments.
From 1980 through 1984 the awards were $500. In 1985 and 1986, the awards were raised to $750. Beginning in 1987, $1000 awards have been given to high school seniors. Currently, Foundation Scholarships are $3000.
It has been the goal of the Foundation to give scholarships off the interest of the monies raised. In 1990, this became a reality due to the generous donations that have been made to the Foundation and through our annual fundraiser, “An Evening of Entertainment.”
In January of 1993, we changed our name to the DPS Scholarship Foundation to reflect the unity of the former city and county schools systems. Foundation Scholarship applications were made available to seniors in all of the system’s schools. We were able to award at least one scholarship to a senior all of the high schools.