Scholarship
History
Our journey commenced in 2005 when a group of devoted Bethel Baptist Church members pooled their resources to support a single student's educational pursuits. The heartfelt aspiration to aid more students persisted, yet the lack of a formal program hindered this ambition until 2009. It was in this pivotal year that the Brian J. Pierce Scholarship Program came into being, marking the genesis of our dedicated efforts.
Subsequently, our community initiated proactive measures to gather funds, drawing support from our esteemed men's and women's organizations. Inspired by the Lyerly family in 2010, our enduring Golf Tournament was established, a beacon of our commitment, consistently generating vital scholarship contributions.
In 2012, our Golf Tournament had an outstanding run, translating into a remarkable year for our scholarship program. This success coincided with our alignment under the Bethel Enrichment Center, prompting the formation of a dedicated committee to propel the program forward.
With a solid scholarship framework in place, we expanded our vision to encompass other vital aspects aligned with the BEC's mission. This led to the establishment of the Community Impact Scholarships, broadening our reach and impact within our community.
Finally, a pivotal moment in our history was marked by the incredibly generous matching contribution from Willie Deese. This remarkable act became a milestone as it was the first instance of someone matching every scholarship donation. This extraordinary support remains etched in our hearts, and we are forever grateful for such a remarkable contribution.
Down Through the Years
BEC Scholarship
