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Holder is recipient of 2020 Hobbs Scholarship

10 November 2020

Makayla Holder Picture The Morehead State University Foundation has announced this year’s recipient of the Hobbs Endowment for Equality Scholarship, a fund to benefit Morehead State University students. This year’s recipient is Makayla Holder, a junior majoring in convergent media from Morehead.

“I am super thankful for the Hobbs Endowment for Equality scholarship that I received because every little bit counts when it comes to paying for your education,” Holder said. “Without scholarships like this one, I would be unable to pursue my passion and continue my education.”

The Hobbs Endowment for Equality, was established in 2009 by Toni Hobbs (02, 09). Hobbs, an Eastern Kentucky native, is the current director of creative and branding services at MSU. She was instrumental in developing the initial concept for a mentoring program for underrepresented students, DREAMS, and is a founding member and former advisor of ALLYance (an LGBTQ+ student organization) at MSU. Hobbs funds the scholarship through annual contributions and has pledged future support through her estate plans. When fully funded, this endowment is expected to be valued at $50,000 and will support Eagles for generations to come.

The scholarship, awarded to full-time undergraduate or graduate LGBTQIA+ students, was one of the first scholarships of its kind in Kentucky. It was created particularly for LGBTQIA+ students in the Eastern Kentucky region who did not receive adequate support from their home and/or school environments and have contributed to promoting and supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusion in their high school, college or community. Examples include starting or leading ally programs, coordinating activities promoting awareness and understanding of human differences, and other LGBTQIA+ initiatives.

“I am proud to offer this scholarship to such a deserving student,” Hobbs said. “While Morehead State students may face staggering obstacles, I believe that with compassion, education and grit, students like Makayla will continue to change our world for the better.”

Students interested in applying for this scholarship, along with other privately funded scholarships managed by the MSU Foundation, should visit the online scholarship application at moreheadstate.awardspring.com.

For more information on this scholarship, or to establish your own, contact MSU’s Office of Alumni Relations and Development at 606-783-2033, email giving@moreheadstate.edu or visit alumni.moreheadstate.edu.