France-Kelly Scholarship established at FMU

FLORENCE — A scholarship has been established at Francis Marion University in honor of the fifth anniversary of “Walking For Wanda” Multiple Sclerosis Walking Team to provide financial assistance and recognize the scholastic merits of a deserving student who has been accepted into the Teacher Education Program for Early Childhood Education.

The Wanda Love Sarvis France-Kelly Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of a public school kindergarten teacher who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1990. Although confined to a wheelchair, she was an advocate for MS research as well as a cure and bravely fought the illness for 12 years, before dying Jan. 2, 2002, of a brain aneurysm.

The founding of the scholarship was initiated by her son, Whit France-Kelly, who recently graduated from FMU.

“The university community is honored to have a young alum like Whit pay tribute to the memory of his mother in this way,” Jay Dowd, executive director of the FMU Foundation and vice president for development, said in a press release issued by the university. “It has been a distinct pleasure working with him on setting up this scholarship.”

The recipient must be a resident of North or South Carolina, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher and have a financial need.

The funds for the scholarship will be deposited with the FMU Foundation. The donor intends to fund the scholarship on an annual basis.

Additional contributions may be made to this fund at any time. Contributions should be made payable to the FMU Foundation, P.O. Box 100547, Florence, SC 29501-0547.