The University of Alabama recently launched the Sworn Officer Scholarship Program to recognize the service of local first responders and their families.
The scholarship program is open to sworn officers, and their children, who provide services to the university’s campus faculty, staff, students and visitors.
Scholarships will be available to eligible sworn officers of the Tuscaloosa Police Department, Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Northport Police Department and Northport Fire Rescue beginning with incoming freshmen in fall 2023.
According to the university, the scholarships hold a value of up to $2,500 each academic year for selected students. For full-time students, the award value can rise to $10,000 over four the course of years. Students who are below full-time may be awarded comparable amounts based on credit hours taken.
The scholarship program is the result of a collaborative effort between UA and the City of Tuscaloosa to honor the service of sworn officers who provide vital services to the university’s community.
In announcing the scholarship’s creation, UA president Stuart Bell touched on the university’s commitment to honoring the service of those who provide for local public safety.
“An investment in public safety is an investment in our entire community,” declared Bell in a release. “This scholarship program acknowledges the impact sworn officers have and shows our great appreciation for their dedication.”
The scholarship’s establishment was met with widespread praise among area public safety leaders.
LaShonda Kemp, chief human resources officer for the City of Tuscaloosa, asserted that the scholarship would make higher education affordable for those who serve the local community.
“We are excited about this agreement created together with The University of Alabama to offer educational opportunities not only to our sworn police officers and firefighters, but also to their children,” said Kemp. “This partnership with the Capstone will go a long way toward making college affordable for the families of those who spend their days in service to others.”
Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ronald Abernathy expressed gratitude to UA leadership and advised that the scholarship would serve as a “recruitment tool” for public safety agencies.
“On behalf of the men and women of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, I would like to thank The University of Alabama administration for supporting our public safety professionals,” conveyed Abernathy. “By providing the availability of scholarships to our sworn personnel, they are creating an additional avenue for higher education. This also creates a recruitment tool that can be a game changer for our community.”
According to Northport Police Chief Gerald Burton, the scholarship’s establishment will pave the way for public safety officials to “pursue their educational dreams.”
“I believe this is a great benefit to law enforcement officers and our families,” stated Burton. “I would like to thank The University of Alabama and its leadership for recognizing and supporting local law enforcement in this manner. This amazing partnership will allow officers and their children to pursue their educational dreams and for this, I am thankful.”
Through the program, UA has provided an avenue for members of the Northport Fire Rescue to attain higher education, said department Chief Bart Marshall.
“At Northport Fire Rescue, we are committed to providing exceptional public safety services for our community,” advised Marshall. “The Sworn Officer Scholarship Program presents a great opportunity for NFR members and their families to expand their educational resources. We are grateful to The University of Alabama for establishing this scholarship and are proud to be a part of this community.”
Additional information regarding the Sworn Officer Scholarship Program may be found here.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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