Arkansas Tech University student Sandy Privett thought she was reporting to the Hull Building Event Center to volunteer at a Homecoming luncheon for ATU alumni and friends on Friday, Oct. 9.
Soon after she arrived, she discovered she was the guest of honor.
Privett received a surprise $4,100 Caraway Girls Scholarship from a group of Arkansas Tech alumnae who have been carrying out similar acts of kindness since 2013.
“This is amazing,” said Privett. “I definitely did not expect this, but this really means so much to me. This is going to be an amazing help. It’s great to receive something from people who are so passionate. It’s really sweet. They seem so happy and proud to come back to Arkansas Tech every year. They are really fun to be around, and it’s awesome to share that connection with them. I’m just so very thankful. This means so much to me.”
A sophomore biology major with biomedical option from Paris, Privett maintains a 3.8 grade point average and serves in ATU Student Government Association. She is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, Pre-Med Club and Tri Beta honor society. She has also served the ATU community as a new student orientation leader.
“My brother (C.J.) went (to ATU) before me, and I remember coming here, being on campus and seeing him grow up here,” said Privett. “I loved it, so I ended up following in his footsteps.”
Privett hopes to attend medical school after completing her bachelor’s degree from ATU.
The story of the Caraway Girls Scholarship dates back more than 65 years to a lifelong sisterhood that was developed by a group of women in Caraway Residence Hall. Their friendships were rekindled in 2009 when they gathered for Homecoming at Arkansas Tech, and they have remained in touch ever since. They started surprising ATU students with scholarships 13 years ago.
“Every time I set foot on this campus, a whole wave of memories comes back,” said Lou Nell McCraw Davis, a 1959 Arkansas Tech graduate and charter member of the Caraway Girls Scholarship program. “While things do look a little different, that warm feeling of being here hasn’t changed a bit. We lived on the third floor of Caraway Hall and shared our hopes and dreams, hard work and laughter…especially laughter…and encouraged each other. Years later, we realized that we still wanted to encourage other Tech girls…maybe make things a little easier for them. We wanted to give back somehow, and so we created this scholarship.”
Davis extended appreciation to Julie Morgan, former ATU director of alumni relations and assistant to the president, as well as current Arkansas Tech administrators and staff members Amy Pennington, Pam Cooper and Caroline Kitchens for the roles they have played in assisting the Caraway Girls Scholarship program.
“It has been so much fun,” said Davis. “Through the years, others have joined in with us, and this year we have had several other Caraway friends who wanted in on the fun. Thank you to each and every one of you Caraway girls and friends of Caraway girls who pitched in with your generous contributions and made this year’s scholarship possible.
“Sandy, we want you to know that we are proud of everything you have achieved so far, and we can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next,” continued Davis. “And we want you to know that as you walk these halls and this beautiful campus pursuing your goals, you aren’t walking alone. You have an entire team of women who came before you standing in your corner, cheering you on.”
