Knights of Columbus establish scholarship at UVa-Wise

Knights of Columbus Glenmary Council No. 7853 Grand Knight Doug Chute (right) presents a check to UVa-Wise Vice Chancellor for Development and College Relations Jim Knight, to establish a scholarship at the College.

Achievement through education is just one of the goals the Knights of Columbus Glenmary Council set forth when it recently established a scholarship at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Glenmary Council No. 7853 Grand Knight Doug Chute and Treasurer Bob Isaac presented the College with a check on May 31 to provide scholarship money for students who reside in the Council’s area, which encompasses Wise, Dickenson, Lee, Scott and Russell counties as well as the City of Norton.

The Knights of Columbus Glenmary Council No. 7853 Scholarship will be given to worthy and deserving students, regardless of age, race and ethnicity, who meet the eligibility criteria at UVa-Wise. The scholarship may be renewable if the student remains in good academic standing with a grade point average of 2.75 or higher. The funds are not restricted to tuition, but can be used to pay for other educational expenses such as books and supplies.

According to Isaac, the funds used to establish the scholarship accumulated over a number of years in an investment account. The Knights of Columbus had originally hoped to construct a building to be used for social functions, but the group decided the money could be put to better use in educational endeavors for area students.

“The credibility of the College had a lot to do with the decision,” said Isaac. “We couldn’t have given these funds to any better institution than the College at Wise.”

Grand Knight Chute agreed, saying the Knights wanted to help “support the population growth and business growth of the region.”

Chute and Isaac also hope that the regional interest shared by the Knights of Columbus might inspire other civic clubs to become more involved.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s fraternal benefit society that was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

The only branch of the University of Virginia, UVa-Wise is home to 1,900 students and offers undergraduate and professional programs in the liberal arts tradition of Thomas Jefferson.

Posted June 19, 2007