ATHENS– Members of the Mauldin family, Bank Independent officials, and Foundation members, administration, faculty, and staff of Athens State University gathered in front of historic Founders Hall on Tuesday morning to launch a new scholarship. The Edward Fennel Mauldin Memorial Endowed Scholarship was announced and constitutes the second largest endowment at Athens State. The Mauldin Scholarship will now be the highest paying scholarship that is awarded through the Athens State University Foundation.
Bank Independent President Macke Mauldin (left) shakes hand with Athens State President Bob Glenn (right) after unveiling the check that endows the Edward Fennel Mauldin Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
Edward Fennel Mauldin of Leighton, Alabama died in 2010. He was a successful banker and farmer who established and led Bank Independent, originally formed by local farmers in 1947. The scholarship at Athens State memorializes him and his strong commitment to education. Mauldin’s mother, Anne McCully Buchanan Mauldin, was a graduate of Athens State class of 1912. His son, Macke Mauldin, currently serves as the Chairman of the Athens State University Board of Trustees.
“Athens State University, the Mauldin family, and Bank Independent share a common feature in that we all are heavily invested in the community,” said Athens State President Bob Glenn. “Philanthropic efforts such as this simply lead to better communities and for that we should all be extremely grateful.”
Macke Mauldin tells that his father never graduated from college but was a lifelong learner who deeply appreciated the value of the college experience. Mauldin added that his father believed that any exposure to college was better than none at all – and that Athens State is uniquely positioned to make a college education available to those who might not otherwise have the time or resources to attend a traditional course of study.
The Edward Fennel Mauldin Memorial Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to first-generation college students with a demonstrated financial need. The scholarship will be awarded to two students annually who are residents of and have graduated from high schools in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, or Morgan counties in the State of Alabama. It credits each recipient who is in good academic standing a maximum of $2,500 each academic semester for a maximum of $5,000 for an academic year.
Media Release/Guy McClure, Jr.
Director of Marketing, Public Relations & Publications/Athens State University
