John Reginald "Reg" White Scholarship 

     The Kentucky Guardianship Association is proud to announce the establishment of the  John Reginald "Reg" White Scholarship. A native of Vine Grove, Kentucky,  Reg was a 1976 graduate of the University of Kentucky School of Social Work.  Upon graduation, he worked in institutional community settings serving individuals with  physical and developmental disabilities. His career in public service  with Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services included working in the social work department at Eastern State Hospital, the public guardianship program, and the statewide adult protection and guardianship services branch.  
    

     His focus was always client oriented, and his advocacy for vulnerable adults and children was tireless.  Individuals who were privledged to work with him were inspired by his dedication, empathy, and most of all, his humor. Many of those Reg served viewed him as a close personal friend, someone who listened and went out of his way to see that needs were met. Reg retired from state service in July of 2008 and within a month of his retirement, he died from cancer. 
    

     Reg's entire professional career was dedicated to service and protection of vulnerable adults in Kentucky.  He often expressed a concern for the lack of support for students whose chosen career path was serving vulnerable adults.  Reg was a founding member of the Kentucky Guardianship Association, Inc. It is with great pride that we name this scholarship in his honor and present this award to students who choose to work with adults.

Reg White Book Scholarship

(for fall  semester 2011)

Open to undergraduate Social Work students enrolled at the University of Kentucky

DEADLINE: Friday, April 15, 2010

Criteria for the award:

 Undergraduate student in social work:

• in Junior or Senior year of studies
•  
  in good standing academically
• with an expressed interest in working with adult populations
• willing and able to give a short talk to members of the Kentucky Guardianship Association at an annual conference or membership meeting

 Preference will be given to students not receiving any other scholarships

Please submit the following:

1. A cover letter stating your interest with your personal contact information including an email address.

2. A copy of your unofficial transcript.

3. An essay of 2 to 5 pages in length addressing the following topic:

The importance of a Social Worker who specializes in helping older adults

• What direction should they focus efforts in the next 1 to 2 years and later?

• What will be greatest needs and how does social work in particular meet the needs of an aging population?

Students will need to submit all required information to KGA at the following address;
KGA, Inc.

PO BOX 25173

Lexington, KY 40524-5173

KGA will also present a scholarship for spring 2012. This scholarship is open to an undergraduate Social Work students enrolled at any University in Kentucky.

DEADLINE: To be announced

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Scholarship Recipients Angela DeFebbo and Sara McCullough at 2010 KGA Conference

Spring 2010 - ANGElA DEFEBBO, UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

Angela DeFebbo was the first Reg White Scholarship recipient in December 2009.  She is now a 22 year old senior at the University of Kentucky majoring in Social Work.  She is planning to attend the University of  Louisville in the fall of 2011 to obtain a MSW with a gerontology certificate.  Her career goals  include working with seniors in adult day, senior centers or a nursing home setting.  Through volunteering with the "Best Friends" program  and completing social work  practicums at the senior center and state guardianship office, Angela discovered that she particularly enjoys working with seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.   Angela was drawn to social work due to a life long interest in helping others.    

Fall 2010- SARA MCCULLOUGH, UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

Sara Mccullough was the recipient of the Reg White scholarship in the Fall of 2010.  Sarah is 22 years old and will graduate from UK in June 2011 with a degree in Social Work.  Sarah is eager to begin her Social Work career with either the elderly in long term care or with high risk juveniles.  Sarah's experience at UK provided her with a rich practicum in these diverse areas.  In her junior year she interned at  a Lexington nursing home where she worked one to one with residents on a variety of  issues.  In her senior year she gained invaluable experience working with juveniles at high risk for dropping out  in " Project Transition" at Bryan Station High School.  Sarah was drawn to social work as she has been privileged to observe  the difference  that social programs and excellent social workers can make in the lives of people who are experiencing  difficulties. 

SPRING 2011 - JACQULYNN SKAGGS, MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY