Recently, I have been thinking about what makes our scholarship program different from so many of the others. For one, we are more than just a financial aid program. We are far more than that. We are a leadership training program, a career experience program, a professional networking program, a mentoring program and a counseling program all wrapped into one. We strive to reach out to our Bedsole Scholars, to help enrich their lives, to counsel them when they are in need and most of all, help prepare them for their leadership roles in the professional world. We never stop helping our graduates and alumni. Through The J.L. Bedsole Alumni Association, we strive to always stay involved and help where we can.

The reason for saying all of this is that if a Bedsole Scholar does not take advantage of all that is offered, then he or she is wasting opportunities to become a better servant leader. Some of the programs offered such as the Leadership Training Seminars and Leadership Convocation provide tremendous learning and networking experiences that cannot be found elsewhere. The Career Prep Internship Program provides career related, resume enhancing experience that is usually not attainable to a college-aged student in other avenues.

Each year, representatives of The J.L. Bedsole Foundation and college staff come together for the annual campus visits. Visits for 2008 occurred throughout October and the first week of November. Not taking time to come to these meals means not being able to get to know the college presidents, financial aid directors, other Bedsole Scholars, etc. Each of these events is designed expressly to benefit J.L. Bedsole Scholars.

Likewise, J.L. Bedsole Alumni who have agreed to be mentors care about helping the next generation of J.L. Bedsole Scholars. If you have been assigned a mentor, take the time to get to know him or her. Ask questions and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for mentorship. If you have not been assigned a mentor, go to the Alumni Central found at our alumni website and browse the directory. Search out a mentor that appeals to your needs and contact them through the site. Make a friend.

The bottom line is that by not participating in Bedsole sponsored functions, you miss out on fundamental opportunities for leadership training and networking. You miss out on meeting new friends and forging lifelong bonds with your peers. So get involved, participate and take advantage of all the programs The J.L. Bedsole Scholars Program has to offer!