Coastal Carolina University President Ronald R. Ingle and his wife Judy have created an endowed scholarship to benefit the dependent children or grandchildren of Coastal faculty and staff. The gift from the Ingles is part of Coastal's 50th Anniversary Initiatives, a capital campaign designed to raise funds to support the university.

The purpose of the Ron and Judy Ingle Endowed Scholarship for Dependent Children or Grandchildren of Coastal Carolina University Faculty and Staff is to encourage the pursuit of higher education within the university community. The annual scholarship will be divided equally between (1) a Coastal student who is a dependent child or grandchild of a faculty member and (2) a Coastal student who is a dependent child or grandchild of a staff member.

University officials hope that the first scholarships can be awarded to coincide with President Ingle's retirement in 2007.

Preference will be given to students who (1) are first-time freshmen entering Coastal out of high school; (2) are full-time students; (3) earn at least a 3.0 high school grade point average and rank in the top 25 percent of their class; and (4) who demonstrate financial need. The initial awards are for one year, although recipients may apply for renewal as long as they maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and earn at least 30 credit hours annually.

Ronald R. Ingle has served as Coastal's president since 1993, when the institution became an independent public university. He joined Coastal in 1988 as vice chancellor of academic affairs.

A native of Moncks Corner, Ingle earned a bachelor's degree in English from Wofford College, a master's degree in higher education administration from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in psychology from Ohio State University. Before coming to Coastal, Ingle held faculty and administrative positions at the University of South Carolina, Ohio State University, Kennesaw College and South Georgia College.

Judy Ingle is the curriculum specialist at Carvers Bay High School in Georgetown County. She is originally from Florence, Ala.