Local donors create scholarship for Women in Philanthropy & Leadership
The couple is establishing a Life & Legacy gift at CCU in the form of The Scott and Pamela Pyle "Make A Difference" Scholarship. The annual gift is in support of Women in Philanthropy and Leadership (WIPL) for CCU and will benefit qualified students with a $2,500 award for their junior year, and another $2,500 award for their senior year. The "Make a Difference" scholarship will be awarded for the Fall 2013 semester.
Candidates for the scholarship must meet the following criteria:
1. Be a rising junior at CCU.
2. Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA for an automatic award their senior year.
3. Conduct an interview with Dr. Pyle.
4. Complete an essay answering the following:
a. Describe activities you are doing or have done to impact the world around you in a positive manner.
b. Describe future career and life goals that will make a difference in the lives of others. Be as specific as possible.
c. What do you see as the greatest injustice in your community, the nation or the world today?
Recipients will be encouraged to read "When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself" by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert and will attend mentoring sessions with Dr. Pyle to discuss career goals and objectives.
Dr. Pyle, an osteopathic physician based in Myrtle Beach, specializes in coronary care, hospitalist services and skin rejuvenation. She is also a volunteer physician at Friendship Medical Clinic & Pharmacy, a free clinic serving underprivileged individuals, and at Reflections Assisted Living in Myrtle Beach. Her volunteer work extends to the African nation of Rwanda, where Pyle has led medical mission teams and raised funds in support of Africa New Life Ministry and its multiple programs for children and families, theological instruction and vocational programs. She now serves on the board of Africa New Life Ministries and chairs its Health Care Council. The Health Care Council oversees care of 5,500 children provided for through Africa New Life Ministry and is developing an ambulatory surgery center in Kigali, Rwanda to provide medical, dental and surgical care for the poor.
As a senior partner at Pyle Cunningham Wealth Management Group of Raymond James in Myrtle Beach, Scott Pyle has spent nearly two decades working with individuals and families in retirement and estate planning, comprehensive financial planning and investment management. He also reaches out to the youth of the community through his mentoring work with Ground Zero of Myrtle Beach.
"This scholarship not only aids us in fulfilling our primary mission of assisting students through scholarship funding, but goes far beyond by extending students the opportunity for personal interaction and mentoring from a woman who has accomplished so much in our community," says Terri DeCenzo, executive director of WIPL. "This opportunity provides students with a true example of servant leadership and generosity, demonstrating the combined contributions of time, talent and treasure in one gift. I am inspired and hopeful that through the Pyles' generosity, lives will be changed and students will be given great insight into how helping one individual can change the world."
Women in Philanthropy began in 2002 with the goal of committing annual donations in support of scholarships for CCU students. A leadership component was added in 2007, with the core tenet of increasing the opportunity for women to have a voice in leadership roles at the university, as well as in the community, state and region. Women in Philanthropy and Leadership has presented more than $100,000 in scholarships to deserving CCU students. Since 2011, WIPL has also produced its signature Leadership Conference and Celebration of Inspiring Women to enhance their professional and personal skills, connect with other women and celebrate the significant accomplishments of those who have called South Carolina "home."