Celebrating Two Decades
Students, alumni, officers, and staff gathered aboard the Perdido Queen in Mobile, Alabama to celebrate 20 years of the Foundation.
Along with the revelry, stories of the Foundation's early days were shared. Current student scholars met alumni and exchanged the personal histories of their own unique journeys — creating contacts and mentor opportunities based on professions and backgrounds. Scholars relayed that talking with alumni gave them a new perspective on their own goals: meeting others who had used the Smith programs to become professionals with secure jobs and families helped current scholars stay focused on what they can look forward to achieving.
Mignon C. Smith lived a life that celebrated successes, big or small — there was always a good reason for a party. Continuing that tradition, students, alumni, officers, and staff enjoyed a dinner cruise aboard the Perdido Queen in Mobile, Alabama.
Ahrian Dudley, the Executive Director, re-read her early speech from the Awards Day Program, detailing what staff and volunteers experienced in the Foundation's first year of administration:
"We have learned that there is an enormous amount of paperwork that must be completed to write a check to pay for someone's college education.
We have learned that just because you send a check does not mean it will be applied to the correct account. We have learned that many admissions, financial aid, and student housing officers apparently do not share information and may not even acknowledge the other's existence.
We have learned that student scholars will carry their laptops in laundry baskets — and drop them. We have learned that Astronomy is a lot harder course than freshmen realize. We have learned student scholars will give up their Spring Break to come help the Foundation organize applications. We have learned that mothers have a hard time realizing their children are now adults.
And, we have learned that 18-year-old boys still cry when they make a 'C,' and when they make all 'A's.'"
These awards total over $14.4 million in direct educational payments. When scholarships and supportive programs are added, the total exceeds $20 million. As B.B. King put it, "the beautiful thing about learning is no one can take it away from you."
The inaugural class of scholarships began in 2005 and continues with the current 2025 awards, announced last week. From 2005 through 2025, the Foundation has recognized 526 Smith Scholars with full, partial, and graduate scholarships.
Early news articles described the Smith Scholarship as one designed for the "long shot" student — the student who often slipped through the cracks due to lower ACT scores or coursework limited by their rural school's AP or advanced class offerings. When these obstacles combined with long work hours or caregiving responsibilities for family members with chronic illness, applications to traditional scholarship organizations were often overlooked.
Founder Mignon C. Smith believed these students — who worked hard, cared for others, and excelled in volunteer work — deserved a chance. Education levels the playing field, and it was the most valuable gift she could give them: a legacy of learning.
Applications open in October of each year, closing near January 10th. Awards range from $500 to $20,000 for undergraduates, with opportunities for assistance for graduate and professional school.
