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At Longwood, no other name says "scholarships" like Hull

Duvahl Ridgway-Hull, class of '33, was graduated with an undergraduate degree in biology and math and a minor in physical education. She had decided to become a doctor. To prepare for medical school, she took some courses at Roanoke College while she taught swimming and physical education in Roanoke for a few years. She was graduated from The Medical College of Virginia in 1942, one of only eight women in her class. Following a medical internship and residency, she opened her own obstetrics-gynecology practice in Roanoke in 1964. Asked how many babies she delivered, she replied, "I have no idea. The most I ever delivered in one night was six." Ridgway-Hull was appointed to Longwood's original Board of Visitors in 1964 and served until 1975. She was Rector of the Board from 1970 to 1972 - the first woman rector of any college or university in Virginia.

Duvahl and Andrew Ridgway Hull were married in 1960. Hull was music supervisor of the Roanoke public school system. Having paid for his board at college by working as a janitor, Hull embraced the idea of private funds assisting students at state colleges. He served as a director of the Longwood College Foundation from 1971 and as president from 1986 until 1991 when he retired and was honored with the title of President Emeritus of the Foundation.

Ridgway-Hull retired from her practice in 1987; Hull retired from the school system in 1977. During their careers, their retirements and after their deaths in 1997, the couple have helped hundreds of Longwood students.

In 1981, the Ridgway-Hulls established scholarships for students in biology and music, covering about a third of tuition and fees for two or three students in each discipline each year. More than 60 students have received these scholarships. In spring 1997, the couple funded the Hull Scholars - up to 40 full-tuition-and-fees scholarships each year - with a gift of $3.4 million. This is the largest single donation ever made to the college. Duvahl Ridgway-Hull died in September 1997; Andrew died two weeks later. Their wills endowed math scholarships in line with those in biology and music. In 1996 a new education facility was dedicated and named the Hull Building in their honor. The Hull Scholars also carry on their name.

Hull Scholars

Hull Building is the academic axis for Hull Scholars some of whom are gathered here (left to right, front to back): (seated) Nichole Arthur, Rebecca Haluska, Jennifer Graham; (middle) Shelley Lewis, Emily-Anne Story, Pamela Headley, Jim Shiflett, Crystal Shaffer; (on wall) Robert Northington, Kevin Studer, Elizabeth Hume.

A faculty committee in the School of Education and Human Services selects Hull Scholars from all entering students who declare an intent to obtain a teaching license in elementary, secondary or special education. No separate application is required. The most heavily weighted criterion for selection is academic performance. Financial need is not a factor. In-state and out-of-state students equally are eligible.

The first nine Hull Scholars entered Longwood as freshmen in fall 1999, part of the class of 2003. Now they number 35. They are smart, they are conscientious, and they intend to be teachers. To help them along, each receives a scholarship covering all tuition and fees for the first year, with the promise of funding for three subsequent years.

Pam Headley, Emily-Anne Story and Jim Shiflett are among the class of '04 Hull Scholars.

Pam Headley

Pam Headley, from Callao in the Northern Neck of Virginia, was the class of 2000 salutatorian for Northumberland High School. She applied that year for the honors program at Longwood, and her acceptance included the award of a Hull Scholarship.

In addition to the obvious financial benefits of being a Hull Scholar, Pam is glad to have the "connections" with other scholars: "It helps a lot to connect with people who are a lot like me - conscientious about grades."

Pam has wanted to be a teacher since she was five years old and set up her dolls in front of a blackboard. She has been inspired by "a lot of really good teachers" and has worked at a Christian camp and as youth director of her church; she had her first Longwood practicum with a third-grade class after her freshman year. She likes the "very rigorous program" that will challenge her with three field experiences in classrooms before a semester of student teaching in her senior year. She says she will be "so much more prepared."

Thanks to "good time management," Pam also serves as president of the Baptist Student Union and is a member of the professional education fraternity Kappa Delta Pi. She still visits admired teachers when she goes home to the Northern Neck.

Emily-Anne Story

Hull Scholar Emily-Anne Story helps kindergartners clean their desks with shaving cream.

If Emily-Anne Anne Story had to pluck chickens to pay her way through college and become a kindergarten teacher, she probably would. She doesn't have to, of course, especially as she is a Hull Scholar.

Now a sophomore, Emily-Anne was first recruited by her Avon Lady. The Avon Lady, whose daughter attended Longwood, supplied a small Emily-Anne with large Longwood sweatshirts. Later the college's reputation for teacher preparation appealed to the Godwin High School student who had "always" wanted to be a teacher. She applied for early decision and hoped for one of the Hull Scholarships mentioned in a Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper article. During senior year, she received notification of acceptance and the award of a Hull Scholarship. Emily-Anne celebrated news of the scholarship with her brother, Nathan, who was graduated with a degree from the Longwood School of Business and Economics in 2000.

With a big smile, Emily-Anne says, "I love children. I love working with younger kids - the joy of just doing that." During the summer, she works at a Methodist day school in Richmond. At Longwood she has already had her first practicum, working with a second grade class. On campus, she is a leader in the Baptist Student Union and Kappa Delta Pi honorary fraternity, and she is a Longwood Ambassador. As an Ambassador, Emily-Anne gave prospective students and their parents her first tour of the college on February 23. When people ask her about the college's losses to the fire of 2001, she says, "Longwood is people. We still have everything that's important." She admits, "that may sound a little cheesy, but it's true."" A true ambassador, she adds, "It's a great school for anyone."

James Shiflett

Jim Shiflett is from Greene County, Virginia, and is a graduate of William Monroe High School. When considering colleges, he liked Longwood because "it's small and not too different from where I live." His plan is to teach English at a secondary school or college.

As with most of the Hull Scholars, Jim is in the Honors Program. He finds the honors classes "challenging and interesting." Jim has tested his interest in teaching as a summer camp counselor and as a peer tutor and chemistry lab assistant in high school. He admired his chemistry teacher who "made his class interesting despite the subject." More in line with his interests was "Freudian Themes and Fairy Tales," taught by Dr. Craig Challender and Dr. Rhonda Brock-Servais last semester.

Jim says, "For me, the Hull Scholarship is motivation to continue to do well. To keep your grades up. It forces you to prove yourself. To show that those who selected you didn't make a mistake." Jim, in turn, encourages his two younger brother - ages 11 and eight - to do well, to keep their grades up, to prepare to prove themselves.

Each year more freshmen join the ranks of Hull Scholars - more students motivated to live up to the faith and generosity bestowed on them by Duvahl and Andrew Ridgway-Hull. Each of these donors continues to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of students. "Lead" donors are joined by thousands of others who look at coming generations and give back, not up.

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