It is with fondness and an appreciation of a life well lived that the UMHEF community remembers Board of Trustee member Bob Forrest, who passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2022.

Bob had served as a United Methodist Higher Education Foundation trustee since 2017. As his obituary states, “Bob loved the Lord and the United Methodist Church.” During his time with the foundation, Bob passionately supported United Methodist students seeking higher education. With particular interest in students within his home state of Georgia, Bob and his wife Martha have advocated tirelessly to raise funds and awareness through the Martha Forrest Scholarship Fund. The lives of many students have been impacted in countless ways through his work, for which we are profoundly grateful.

The prayers of the UMHEF staff, Board of Trustees, and community go out to Martha and the family during this difficult time.

At the family’s request, gifts may be given in Bob’s memory to the Martha Forrest Scholarship Fund below.

The UMHEF United Methodist Dollars for Scholars (UMDFS) award is a unique scholarship program that kicks off with a $1,000 scholarship from an applicant’s United Methodist Church. For some congregations, however, money is not readily available but the desire to support students is. If you are a sponsoring church that is low on funds, check out the following tips for raising these funds.

The UM Dollars for Scholars award is a matching program. UMHEF, participating UM-related schools, and UM Conference Foundations may each match for a total of up to $4,000. Learn more.

WAYS TO RAISE $1,000 CHURCH SCHOLARSHIP

• It takes a village. While we prefer the $1,000 to be sent to UMHEF on one church check, more than one United Methodist congregation may contribute. Consider reaching out to other congregations to pool funds. These may include the church the applicant attends while at school, the student’s parent’s church (if different), etc. If multiple churches will contribute and want to write their own checks, please send all checks together at one time if possible.
• Many hands make light work. Similarly, ask groups within your church to sponsor part of the $1,000 total. Your youth or college ministry, a large Sunday School class, outreach groups the student may volunteer with, etc.
• Pass the plate. We have heard of congregations incorporating a special offering specifically for the UMDFS program.
• Get creative! Want to really drum up excitement for the students in your congregation who you want to support through this program? Host a fundraising event. Ideas include a talent show with “admission,” car wash, gift wrapping station at Christmas time, silent auction, or church yard sale.
• Get students involved. If you’d like to involve students who plan to apply for the UMDFS program, they may want to reach out to family, neighbors, teachers, and friends and ask them to donate to your church for this designated purpose.

UMHEF is here to help your church be successful in supporting students aiming for higher education. We are happy to provide custom announcement suggestions, worship slides, and/or traditional bulletin inserts for your UMDFS fundraising efforts. Email our Director of Communications/Public Relations, Teresa Tysinger, or call her at 615-649-3975.

The application season for the 2023-2024 academic year will be January 1 – March 1, 2023. Now’s the perfect time to make plans for funds to support the students in your church who plan to apply for the UMDFS program. Talk to the youth and college students in your church now and be ahead of the game! As always, we thank you for the amazing impact you have on countless United Methodist students. 

As she begins her junior year at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, Madison is striving for more through UMHEF. She is one of nearly 1,000 students around the world impacted by United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) scholarships this year.

A recipient of the UMHEF Martha Forrest Scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year, Madison is able to focus on her studies without struggling to cover the costs.

“This scholarship plays a role in successfully paying for my education and ensures I can reach my goals without having a doubt in my mind about paying for it.”

Madison, Paine College Student & UMHEF Scholar

With the support, Madison can focus on her studies and reach for her dreams. “I plan to work my way into pediatrics after I receive my undergraduate degree,” she says. “I love children, as well as helping people, so why not go into pediatrics and be the best at it?!”

A serious, driven student, Madison explains, “I always strive for more instead of settling for less.” Among her achievements, Madison was selected to represent Paine College as a White House Initiative Scholar in 2021. She adds, “This made a lot of people proud—including myself!” The staff of UMHEF is also proud—as I hope you are—to be a part of her journey.

Your contributions help thousands of young United Methodists like Madison, attending one of over 100 UM-related institutions of higher education, strive for more instead of settling for less.

Please consider a gift of $25, $50, $100, $500, or any amount to support our students. When you give to the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation, you empower our young people and set them up for success.

Jadd Masso first received a UMHEF scholarship in 1995 as a student at Southern Methodist University and is now a lawyer living in Dallas, TX. He first joined the UMHEF Board of Trustees in 2010 and has since served in many roles of leadership. Below, Jadd shares some thoughts about making the connection between scholar and servant.

When I received a scholarship from UMHEF to help pay for my undergraduate education at Southern Methodist University, I had no idea of how great a blessing it really was. Of course, the money for tuition as appreciated, but what I didn’t realize then was how the scholarship would further strengthen my connection with the church.

I grew up going to Sunday school and was active in my youth group during high school, but (like many college students) was not particularly involved thereafter. Receiving a scholarship from UMHEF was, to me, a reminder of who I was, where I came from, and the community I belonged to.

While at SMU, I received frequent reminders from UMHEF about the church’s support for me and for hundreds of other students like me across the country. UMHEF stayed in touch with me after graduation, through law school, and as I began my career. As a young adult, I was eager to become a donor to UMHEF. I wanted to pay back the gift that had been given to me, so that other students like me could have the same opportunities–not just to attend a church-related college or university, but to do so with the love and support of their church community. My UMHEF scholarship inspired me to rekindle my involvement at church as an adult and to take on leadership roles in my local congregation.

I have also been honored to serve on UMHEF’s board of trustees since 2010. I support UMHEF now because I know that the scholarships we give are so much more than assistance with tuition. Our scholarships are a way for the church to connect with its youth during a transformational time in their lives and to inspire its future leaders.

Jadd’s reflection first appeared in the 2021 UMHEF Annual Review. Read the full report here.

Here at the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation, we have many reasons to celebrate: UM students thriving as they seek God’s calling on their lives, schools committed to providing quality education, and YOU – our faithful and generous supporters!

In this year’s UMHEF Annual Review, we take a look back at the amazing ways God worked through you and our partners in 2021 to live into the foundation’s grand vision to make higher education possible for United Methodist students. 

Inspired after reading the impact made last year? You can be a part of the community of supporters changing the lives of hundreds of United Methodists every year.

Amid the busyness of the season, the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation invites you to spend a moment every day of December this Advent thinking about the story of Jesus’ birth. With one Bible verse a day, may you find your own peace and joy in the journey to the miraculous gift at the manger.

Download the Verse-a-Day Advent Calendar below for FREE as our gift to you. It’s our hope that you may feel Christ with you during this special season.

The Robert Siegmund Rothe Scholarship Endowment Fund has been created to honor the memory of long-serving United Methodist Higher Education Foundation Board of Trustee Robert “Bob” Rothe of Kerrville, Texas, who passed away on July 29, 2021.

An alumnus of Southern Methodist University, Bob dedicated more than fifteen years to supporting the higher education of countless other United Methodist students through UMHEF. Once voted Trustee of the Year by his peers, Bob was respected and loved by all he served alongside.

Bob’s service went far beyond UMHEF. He served in leadership roles within community organizations like Allen Rotary Club, Allen Chamber of Commerce, First United Methodist Church of Allen, Allen Community Outreach, Arts of Collins County Foundation, Allen Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Allen Schools Foundation, and First United Methodist Church of Kerrville, TX.

Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to Bob’s wife, Merry Ann Rothe, and his family and friends.

Gifts may be made in Bob’s memory to the Robert Siegmund Rothe Scholarship Endowment Fund here. Simply choose the fund from the drop-down menu.

Having grown up in The United Methodist Church, Fernando Domingos sees a parallel between his interest in mission and his choice of psychology as his college major at Africa University: both focus on people and communities. With assistance from the Martha G. Rowlett and Robert J. Arnott Scholarship Endowment, awarded by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation, Fernando is now working toward his Master of Divinity at Drew University with the aim to give back.

Although mission work is hard, Fernando knows it is God’s work, and God will sustain him. He looks forward to hearing the stories of others, becoming an advocate for social justice, and helping to build strong communities.

After graduating from Africa University, Fernando has spent the past two years in Brazil working with Shade and Fresh Water, an after-school program of the Methodist Church of Brazil for at-risk youth ages 6 to 14. Through his education and experience in Brazil, he saw a shortage in pastoral care and counseling services. His sights are set on this area of focus as he pursues his graduate degree at Drew.

Fernando’s lifestyle is “one set to serve God and others.”

Fernando shared that his first priority is to always give back smiles as he comforts those going through life’s challenges, and to orient others to have a heart of love and charity. His lifestyle is one set to serve God and to serve others. He prays that after completion of his MDiv, he can “extend the services of the church community in larger ways to help others through a great heart of love to the work of God in this earth.”

Learn more about the vision and reach of UMHEF.
Read about the Martha G. Rowlett and Robert J. Arnott Scholarship Endowment.
Support students like Fernando.

One UMHEF Donor Supports African Students with Endowment Fund

In Martha Rowlett’s book Weaving Prayer Into the Tapestry of Life, she wrote in the introduction, once done with most books they can be shelved or passed on, “but this book wants to hang around and be used. It would like to be a friendly companion to help you connect with God about the living of your life as you weave your personal life tapestry.”

That also describes Dr. Rowlett. If you’ve had the opportunity to spend time with her, you want to keep her around. Dr. Rowlett and her late husband, Dr. Robert Arnott established an endowed scholarship through the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. While working at Claremont School of Theology, Dr. Arnott visited Africa for a conference where he bonded with Bishop Lawi Imathiu and was inspired to establish an endowment that would provide scholarships for students from Africa attending United Methodist schools in the United States or Africa.

Over the past few years, Martha has so enjoyed receiving updates and letters of thanks from the students that she decided to gift a portion of her estate plan while she is still alive. Students like Fernando Domingos have benefitted from this gift. From Angola, Fernando is a member of Redentor United Methodist Church in the West Angola Annual Conference and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Africa University. With assistance from the Martha G. Rowlett and Robert J. Arnott Scholarship Endowment, Fernando is now working toward his Master of Divinity at Drew University with a focus in this area.

It is Martha’s goal to be able to see even more impact, but she claims that she is “simply following in their direction. This was Bob and Bishop Lawi’s dream and I know that they would’ve been happy to see this happen.”

If you are interested in establishing an endowed scholarship, or if you would like to support a current fund, please contact the UMHEF Development Officer, Melissa Houck by email or call (615) 649-3970.

Once again, the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation is excited to share with you its Annual Review. This important document celebrates all the ways the support of generous donors and partners have allowed the Foundation to live into its grand vision throughout the past year.

Despite challenges faced across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic, last year was a time full of reasons to celebrate. We invite you to view the following 2020 Annual Review and join us in giving thanks for all of the ways UMHEF has been able to make it economically possible for United Methodist students to attend UM-related schools. We celebrate YOU and your part in this exciting year.

View this year’s review below:

UPDATE: UMHEF has closed applications for the UM Dollars For Scholars program.

A limited number of United Methodist Dollars for Scholars awards are still available for the 2021-2022 academic year! UMHEF will match a $1,000 award from your local United Methodist church, making your scholarship worth $2,000. If the UM-related school you plan to attend in the fall still has funds available within our 2021 program, your award total could reach up to $3,000!

Learn more about the United Methodist Dollars for Scholars program here.

The students you support through the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation are changing the world! This is just one of their stories, that of a young United Methodist student at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Hannah Povroznik continues to make a difference, even during a pandemic, by living out a vision she had in high school.

In 2017, Hannah founded a food insecurity charity known as Boxing It Up to Give Thanks. This initiative set out to package boxed Thanksgiving meals for food pantries throughout North Central West Virginia. The vision was to eliminate food insecurity for one day, leaving more time for families to do what families do best – make memories!

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Boxing It Up persevered into its fourth year of service while expanding the original vision through a team of leaders from West Virginia Wesleyan College. In 2020, the charity raised $32,000 and fulfilled the need of all food pantries across counties in North Central West Virginia.

With a community voice and years of determination, this initiative has ultimately raised $90,000, distributed 61,000 pounds of food, and provided nearly 18,000 individual Thanksgiving meals in total. Equally important, Hannah’s example has instilled leadership into the minds of students and changed the face of food insecurity in West Virginia.

“Thank you for helping to make my college years what they are today. West Virginia Wesleyan’s support of Boxing It Up’s endeavors has been inspiring! For making my college experience possible, I thank you!”

Hannah, west virginia wesleyan college

There are countless other stories about UMHEF scholars doing amazing things. When you donate to UMHEF, you help fund not only the education of students like Hannah but also their ideas and dreams that impact communities in enormous ways. Become a part of all the good students are doing by making a one-time or recurring gift to fund UMHEF scholarships. GIVE HERE.

Thank you for your support. We hope Hannah’s amazing work inspires you as much as she’s inspired us here at UMHEF.