Since 1989, the Kentucky Chapter of Women in Rural Electrification (WIRE) has offered college scholarships to Kentucky college students to help them finish their degree. WIRE is now taking 2017 applications for three $1,000 scholarships.
WIRE scholarships are open to any eligible student whose family is served by a Kentucky electric cooperative and has at least 60 hours of credit at a Kentucky college or university by the start of the fall term. (Electric cooperative employees, directors, managers, and their relatives, and those of Big Rivers Electric Corporation, East Kentucky Power Cooperative, and the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives, are not eligible.)
One of 2016’s recipients, Spencer Bolton, says his WIRE scholarship was especially appreciated since this scholarship benefits rural people. “I’m from London, Kentucky,” says Spencer, “and it’s great this scholarship is directed toward rural communities to help those pursue an education.”
Spencer heard about the WIRE scholarships at Sullivan University where he is pursuing a dual degree by completing an MBA program as well as a graduate/doctorate program in the College of Pharmacy. Spencer wants to hopefully become more of a clinical pharmacist in a hospital and go back to an underserved rural area that could use more health care professionals. His family is a member of Jackson Energy electric cooperative.
WIRE is an organization of women associated with Kentucky electric cooperatives. Members are wives of cooperative managers, board members, employees, employees themselves, and other women associated with electric co-ops in Kentucky. A yearly fundraising event is held in November with all proceeds going to the WIRE college scholarship program. Over the past 27 years, WIRE has given more than $94,000 in Kentucky college scholarships.
The deadline for submitting a WIRE college scholarship application is June 9, 2017.
DOWNLOAD THE 2017 WIRE APPLICATION.
Please return applications to Mary Beth Dennis, KAEC, P.O. Box 32170, Louisville, KY 40232