Donald J. Kearns Family Endowed Scholarship

The Donald J. Kearns Family Scholarship was established in November 2010 to financially help a young man or woman pursuing a career goal of becoming a certified teacher in elementary education. Mr. Kearns’ parents were born in the late 1890’s. Despite their limited education, they encouraged him and his seven siblings to strive for a higher education. Economic conditions after World War II made it financially impossible for his parents to send him to college. Dr. J. E. Coltrane, then the Financial Representative for High Point College, encouraged him to apply for a financial scholarship. Mr. Kearns was awarded a scholarship and worked in the college bookstore to supplement the cost of tuition. Without financial assistance, his education would have ended upon his high school graduation. After graduating from college, he was employed as a teacher by the High Point Public School system for thirty-eight years. Teaching was a joyful experience for him. The joy of seeing students learn and develop their potential was foremost in his classroom. He had a deep-seated concern and respect for each student. His wife, Margaret, was a graduate of High Point College, as well. She was employed by the High Point Public School system as an elementary teacher and had the experience of teaching in a private kindergarten for several years. After their three children – Lynn, Donnie, and David – were older, she returned to teaching in the public schools and taught until her death. “A teacher is to the student like rain is to the field.” ~Author Unknown Recipients of the Donald J. Kearns Family Endowed Scholarship will be selected by the Office of Financial Planning.