A new scholarship established by the Lynchburg Life Saving Crew will support graduate students pursuing a degree in PA medicine or athletic training. Preference will be given to students who are, or have been, EMTs or paramedics, or who have volunteered in emergency services or EMS.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the Lynchburg Life Saving Crew to continue to support those pursuing educational degrees that will enable them to serve others, as we have proudly done since we established our agency in 1934,” said Kristin Morgan, president of the LLSC Board of Directors.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to ensure our legacy continues with this scholarship at the University of Lynchburg.”
The Lynchburg Life Saving Crew Graduate Scholarship was established with an initial gift of $50,000. It will be available to qualifying students beginning this fall. Scholarship recipients may receive the award for multiple consecutive years if they meet the selection criteria, and there may be more than one recipient each year.
“The University of Lynchburg PA Medicine program is excited about this new scholarship opportunity for our graduate students, and we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Lynchburg Life Saving Crew for its investment in our future health care providers,” said Dr. Jenna Rolfs, who directs the program.
Dr. Emily Evans, an assistant professor of athletic training at Lynchburg and a member of the LLSC Board of Directors, helped make the scholarship a reality.
“I’m thrilled to add to the scholarship opportunities for MSAT and PA students,” Evans said. “I was a volunteer EMT at the LLSC with an amazing group of professionals, many of whom were associated with the University.
“This scholarship is a way for LLSC to continue to give back to the Lynchburg community by providing financial assistance to students in emergency medical programs. I couldn’t be happier to see both organizations continue to work together to endow this scholarship.”
LLSC is the third-oldest all-volunteer rescue squad in the country. Its mission has changed over the years to adapt to external demands, said Dr. Grant L. Azdell, chief emeritus of LLSC and vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Randolph-Macon College.
“We’re now completely focused on medical training, including a robust CPR/first aid training program for the citizens of Lynchburg,” he added.
As a provider of emergency services to the city of Lynchburg, LLSC “benefited from the symbiotic relationship between our organization and the University of Lynchburg,” Azdell said, adding that there’s a room on campus in the Drysdale Student Center named in honor of the many volunteers who shared a relationship with the University.
“LLSC has always focused on giving back to the community. In that spirit, we decided to endow a scholarship at several places in Lynchburg,” Azdell said. “We hope that our continued support of students will foster that spirit of collaboration for many years to come.”
For more information about the scholarship, email advancement@lynchburg.edu. To apply for the funds, simply apply for admission to the MSAT or PA Medicine programs. Students will be notified of their award by Aug. 1 for the fall semester and Dec. 15 for the spring semester.
