The Rebecca Luker Scholarship
On Dec. 23, 2020, the University lost one of its most renowned and successful alumni with the passing of 1984 graduate Rebecca Luker.
Luker led a prolific and distinguished career as a Broadway actress after earning a vocal performance degree from UM, and always held the University close to her heart.
She was beloved throughout the world for her roles in Broadway musicals such as “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Secret Garden” and “Show Boat.” She earned multiple Tony Award nominations for her roles in “The Music Man,” “Show Boat” and “Mary Poppins.”
As a fitting tribute to her legacy, the University will name the DiscoverShelby Theatre stage in the new Center for the Arts in her memory.
Furthermore, an anonymous donor has also stepped up to provide $50,000 in matching funds toward establishing the Rebecca Luker Scholarship for UM theatre students. The donor will match any donations made toward establishing the scholarship, up to $50,000. The funds will help to endow the scholarship, allowing it to make an impact on students’ lives for years to come.
Additional Initiatives
COLLEGE NIGHT ENDOWMENT FUND
To further honor this unique tradition and students past and future who participate, the College Night Endowment Fund is being created to provide financial support in perpetuity for this amazing experience. As we look forward to the second Saturday in February, we have set a goal to raise $100,000 for the College Night Endowment. Keep Reading.
COLLEGES TO CONGRESS INTERNSHIP
The majority of Congressional internships are unpaid, forcing students to front the bill for a $10,000 opportunity. This creates a barrier of entry for students with limited financial means. We have one such student who was recently accepted for an internship this summer through the College to Congress program in Washington D.C. Learn more.
