Purpose of the Fund

The purpose of this need-based scholarship fund is to provide support to further the education of a single parent.

Please note: This scholarship closes June 3, 2024.

History of the Fund

This scholarship was created in memory of Claude P. Thompson by her son. Claude was born during the Depression and raised in Hughes, Arkansas, by her single mother who, through extraordinary efforts, ensured that Claude attended college. She attended the University of Mississippi and graduated from Southwestern College, now known as Rhodes College. She married shortly after graduation, and in 1953 gave birth to her only child. Similar to her peers, and as was the middle-class custom of the day, she became a homemaker focused on her sonrsquo;s sports activities, elementary school, church and civic activities, and other family matters.

In the late 1960s, she divorced and was subsequently abandoned financially by her ex-husband at the same time that her elderly motherrsquo;s failing health required that she relocate to Memphis to reside with Claude and her son. Suddenly, Claude found herself as the sole financial provider and caregiver of both her elderly mother and her teenage son.

Claude next attended a local occupational school to learn clerical and administration skills. She became employed at the University of Tennessee Medical School in an entry-level clerical position soon after. She worked hard to ensure that her son had a supportive environment, and she maintained a personal commitment that he would attend a university away from Memphis to challenge him and foster his independence. It became clear his senior year of high school that the familyrsquo;s economic circumstances would not allow for Claude to afford tuition at an out-of-town institution. As plans were made for him to attend Memphis State University, her son received notification from the University of Mississippi that he had been awarded a financial aid package that covered both tuition and room and board. Her unwavering faith and hard work had been rewarded.

Claude served as administrative assistant to the Head of Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee until a crippling illness forced her into an early retirement at the age of 64. She died in 1990 from complications of rheumatoid arthritis. On her tombstone, her son had the following inscribed:

Your courage and faith are my rudder and my keel,

your spirit is the wind beneath my wings.

This scholarship is established to support those who apply their faith and efforts to overcoming challenging economic and home environments in order to persevere and to leverage their gifts and talents to take advantage of their opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must:

• be a single parent seeking to gain additional education or occupational skills that will enhance his/her earning capacity to provide an improved environment for his/her minor children;
• be a Shelby County, Tennessee, resident;
• be accepted by and plan to attend an accredited vocational or technical school, two-year, or four-year college or university;
• demonstrate financial need; and
• submit the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis scholarship application form and required attachments.

For the purpose of this scholarship, single parent is defined as a parent, grandparent, sibling, or other family member raising a child or children as the sole provider.

A complete application includes:

• completed Community Foundation of Greater Memphis scholarship application form;
• one-page personal statement outlining education or career goals;
• current letter of recommendation, written by the employer of the parent;
• copy of your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR) and Student Aid Index (SAI) information, OR your College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile, if applicable.

This scholarship may be awarded to more than one student each year. The amount available for this scholarship in 2024 is $4,000.

This scholarship provides adults the opportunity to pursue higher education later in life.

Please note: This scholarship closes June 3, 2024.

History of the Fund

This fund honors the memory of Josh Fielder, whose story began on May 25, 1978, in Memphis. He was quiet and shy, with a brilliant mind and a superb sense of humor.

Josh's unquenchable thirst for knowledge was always the driving force in his life. After graduating from Horn Lake High School he attended college in Hawaii where he studied technology. Returning to Memphis to build a life and pursue his dreams; he continued to take classes in science, literature, philosophy, technology, and other subjects in an attempt to satisfy his desire to learn about anything and everything he could. The acquisition of knowledge was always a driving force; and in his calm, methodical way, he enjoyed imparting that knowledge to others.

Josh always left an impression on all those who were lucky enough to meet him. His quietness gave way to his sense of humor which always amused those around him. He was quick with a joke, but never at the expense of anyone else because he always tried to bring out the best in others.

Employment in the tech industry can be "dry," and at Josh's last job his personality and wit got him promoted to "Director of Fun." As a science fiction enthusiast, TV and movie buff, board game devotee, and roll-playing aficionado, he was always a wonder to his co-workers, friends, and family, who marveled at how one person could fit so much into each day, especially since his tech job often required him to be on call. On top of all that, Josh found time to start a charity that assisted the homeless.

Just weeks before his 34th birthday, Josh was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a terminal cancer caused by asbestos. The doctors told him to prepare himself for the inevitable end, but Josh never quit, never gave up, and emphatically affirmed, "I will beat this!"

While the cancer took Josh's life, it never broke his spirit. In the 140 days he lived after his diagnosis, he personified all that it means to be alive. Josh's short life was far from easy, yet his kindness and sense of humor blessed his family and friends.

This scholarship embraces those kindred spirits who, like Josh, may not take the conventional path in life or education. This scholarship allows Josh to pass the torch on to someone who can now use it to illuminate his or her own path. This scholarship allows Josh to say, "I beat this!"

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must:

• be at least 21 years old;
• live in Tennessee, Arkansas, or Mississippi;
• be accepted by and plan to attend an accredited vocational or technical school, two-year, or four-year college or university in the greater Memphis area;
• have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale; and
• submit a scholarship application form and the required attachments.

A complete application includes:

• completed scholarship application form;
• one-page essay reflecting on Josh Fielder's story and how it echoes the applicant's desire to return to school;
• two current letters of recommendation, including one professional letter of recommendation and one from a teacher, clergy, or person other than a family member who is familiar with your skills and abilities;
• most recent high school or college transcript, if available;
• copy of your ACT and/or SAT scores, if available; and a
• copy of your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR) and Student Aid Index (SAI) information, OR your College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile, if available.

This scholarship is awarded to one student each year. The scholarship award amount will be $1,200.