The Louise Curtis Gillespie Annual Scholarship Fund has been established by Curt and Linda Gillespie of  Naples, Florida and Blowing Rock, North Carolina to assist recipients in fulfilling their dreams of pursuing a career in medicine. The scholarship has been established to honor his parents and their devotion to service. The fact that Chowan has maintained its commitment to Christian higher education and serving students today, just as his Mother experienced, was especially appealing in establishing this memorial.  Furthermore, another main interest was encouraging students to pursue a medical career that they might not otherwise be able to afford. 

Following undergraduate studies at Chowan, Lousie Curtis Gillespie earned a nursing degree at the University of Virginia, where she met Albert R. Gillespie, MD. They made Staunton, Virginia their home, raising their family and serving the community for many years.  Lousie became a homemaker by choice, focusing on raising their children and pursuing her passion for growing roses.  She was a member of the Garden Club of Virginia, American Rose Society and served as a national Rose Show Judge. Lousie was a native of Ahoskie, North Carolina.

The Louise Curtis Gillespie Annual Scholarship provides financial assistance to worthy and needy full-time first-generation students majoring in the Biological Sciences who are committed to pursuing a professional program in the medical field beyond the undergraduate degree. Recipients of the scholarship must have proven academic ability (GPA 3.0 or higher) to earn and retain the scholarship.  The scholarship commitment is $20,000 for each student recipient and consists of $5,000 per year for four years. 

For this initial year, there have been two recipients named for the Louise Curtis Gillespie Annual  Scholarship, Heidi Jensen and Katalia Gibbs. John M. Tayloe, Executive Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, announced to both recipients via conference call with Chowan’s Director of Admissions, Scott Parker, that they had been chosen for this incredible honor. 

Heidi Jenson comes to Chowan University from Loveland, Colorado, with plans to major in biology and minor in psychology. By way of her dedication to her studies and love for helping humanity, Heidi hopes to become a pediatrician. Through the athletic recruitment process, Heidi was delighted to find a golf program and university that made her feel welcome and wanted. In an interview with Mr. Parker, Jenson confided that this year has been an extraordinarily difficult one for her and her family, so much so that she was moved to tears upon receiving the news that she had been chosen to receive this scholarship. Jenson says, “I was so incredibly grateful for both my admissions counselor that helped me obtain it, and the generous sponsor who had just made college affordable for me! I cannot express how truly happy and beyond thankful I am to have received such a wonderful opportunity!”. Jenson acknowledges that her journey to becoming a pediatrician is an arduous and expensive one that may not have been possible without this scholarship. 

Katalia Gibbs, native to Gaffney, South Carolina, aspires to major in biology as the first step in her journey to veterinary school. Katalia first learned about the University through Chowan’s advertising network. She was immediately attracted to all of the opportunities Chowan University provides for its students within the classroom and beyond. Katalia knew Chowan was the institution for her that would foster her abilities and propel her into the veterinary field, prepared to succeed. But without financial assistance, Katalia knew she would not be able to afford the education she desired most. The Louise Curtis Gillespie Annual Scholarship has enabled Katalia to pursue her undergraduate degree at Chowan University and reinvigorated her pursuit of academic excellence with a sense of gratitude and blessing.  

Although Jenson and Gibbs are two separate individuals with differing aspirations, they are united in their love for biology, pursuit of academic excellence, and receiving the honor of the Louise Curtis Gillespie Annual Scholarship. Both students can attend Chowan University with the peace of mind and empowerment that financial and emotional support provides.