Jessica Hughes from Franklin County, Va. Awarded Research Scholarship

2014 Mar 20

The Appalachian College Association has awarded scholarships to three Emory & Henry College students to work with professionals in their chosen fields of study to further their education outside of the classroom. Dylan Johnson, Jessica Hughes, and J.D. Ferguson were each awarded a 2014 Appalachian College Association Colonel Lee B. Ledford Scholarship for Student Research.

Johnson, class of 2015, is double majoring in Sports Management and Economics. He plans to use this scholarship to conduct research focusing on coaching ethics and philosophy.

"I am very excited to work with my advisor, Dr. Rebecca Buchanan, as well as conduct research and interviews with coaches at varying age levels of sports," said Johnson. "This research will hopefully set up my future in sport management and prepare me for graduate level research. I am very humbled and honored to receive this award."

Jessica Hughes, class of 2016, is pursuing a career in theatre. The Ledford Scholarship will help fund an internship opportunity she received from a non-profit theatre in Nothern Ireland.

"The Ledford Scholarship allows me to walk through an open door leading to the theatre craft in another country with a very different perspective on how theatre interacts with it's audience and it's community," said Hughes. "Although I was lucky enough to get a connection with Big Telly, a non-profit theatre in Northern Ireland, this scholarship means I can accept the opportunity to be an unpaid intern for the this upcoming summer. I am so thankful that the ACA decided to support me in learning more about this very difficult yet rewarding craft."

Ferguson is this year's youngest recipient of the scholarship. He is a first-year student at Emory & Henry, and the scholarship will give him the opportunity to work with two E&H professors.

"Receiving this scholarship from the Appalachian College Association is a great honor," said Ferguson. "I have the opportunity to work with two excellent professors here at Emory, Dr. Thomas Little and Dr. Robert Vejnar. I will definitely be learning a lot throughout my work study and working with my project mentors will only enhance the experience. Being a freshman, having the support from my mentors and school administration means the world to me."

The Colonel B. Lee Ledford Scholarship is dedicated to support the summer research projects of students in various fields.