Edna R. Harris Memorial Scholarship
The Edna R. Harris Memorial Scholarship is for women who have completed a Bachelor’s level of formal education and who are or will be enrolled in an accredited seminary/divinity school.
Applicants must:
- Be a North Carolinian by birth, a long-time resident or a resident for the past twelve (12) consecutive months.
- Be an active member of a North Carolina Baptist Church and be involved in mission organizations OR have been active and involved in the past with continued strong church involvement.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Have a clear sense of call to Christian ministry with preference give to an applicant whose vocational goals are focused on missions.
- Demonstrate ability to pursue an academic program successfully (3.0 GPA out of 4.0).
- Provide official transcript of last academic endeavors.
Who was Edna R. Harris?
Edna R. Harris (August 25, 1871 – May 6, 1939) has been described as a teacher, homemaker, mother, WMU worker … A woman of firm conviction, with more than usual missionary zeal, one who loved her Lord, she was well qualified for the task.
On Mrs. Harris’ death, Mary Currin, Young People’s Secretary, wrote beautifully of the friend and co-worker:
“Her unswerving loyalty to Christ, her aggressive, intelligent interest in Missions around the world, her yearning for the unsaved in home community and to the uttermost parts, her loving sacrificial service, her genuine love for individuals, of every age and condition—all these made her a leader. She loved every phase of our great WMU work.”
A scholarship was established as a memorial to her at the WMU Training School in March of 1940. At the May 15, 1994 meeting of the executive board, instructions were given tha the Harris fund be held intact and that North Carolina WMU be recipient for the purpose of granting scholarships in accordance with its original intent.
Countless North Carolina women, and some men, have benefitted from the action taken in 1940 to establish the scholarship fund, among them, one who later served as president, Sara Kanoy Parker.
The Curtis Building at Limestone University (formerly Limestone College) of which Edna R. Harris was a graduate.