scholarships

Congratulations, 2025 heart of the City Foundation Scholarship recipients!

Addison

Cloud

Allison Wolfe Scholarship

Samford University

Alda

Marcondes

Lee Family Scholarship

South College

Alice

Broadaway

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

Auburn University

Andrew

Pullum

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

Florida State University

Andrew

Putnam

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

University of Florida

andy

Ward

Lucille & Robert McCutchen Christian Ministerial Scholarship

Fuller Theological Seminary

Ann Elizabeth

Bryan

Teresa Jefford Scholarship

Florida State University

Anna

Wells Burden

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

Samford University

Ashlyn

MacNichol

Ann Wilson Divine Scholarship

University of Central Florida

august

Gimenez

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

University of Florida

Austin

Taylor

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

Santa Fe College

Ava

Thigpen

Emma Caldwell Scholarship

Florida State University

Ben

Batterson

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

University of Florida

Benjamin

Place

Kathleen H & Kenneth H Kraft Jr Scholarship

Campbell University

Benjamin

WIllsey

David Swanson Pastoral Scholarship

Reformed Theological Seminary

Briley

Coleman

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

University of South Carolina

Charles

Thorp

General W E “Joe” & Ruth T Potter Scholarship

Florida State University

Claire

Cash

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

University of Florida

Claire

Oswald

Annie Bell Johnson Nursing Scholarship

University of Florida

Cole

Spencer

Ann Wilson Divine Scholarship

Flagler College

David

Hull

Glenn & Phyllis Fuller Scholarship

Georgia Institute of Technology

Eloise

Johnston

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

University of Pennsylvania

Emma

Fetter

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

University of Florida

Emma Grace

Ramb

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

Auburn University

Emma

Summer

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

Florida Southern College

Frances

Gray

Hester-Hill-Owsley Scholarship

Seminole State University/University of Central Florida

Grace

Messer

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

AdventHealth University

Harrison

Summer

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

University of Florida

Henry

Builder

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

Auburn University or Samford University

Isaiah

Dunn

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

Orange Technical College

Javaun

Logan

Jim & Diane Cook Scholarship

Elon University

Jennifer

Vais

Beryl & Betty Windsor Educator Scholarship

Samford University

John

Mims

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

Auburn University

Jonathan

Riveros

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

Valencia College/University of Central Florida

Joseph

Bongiorno

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

Florida State University

Joseph

Scheck

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

University of Florida

KAte

Batterson

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

University of South Carolina

Kate

Costar

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

Clemson University

Kate

Tipping

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

Florida State University

Katie Grace

Hanks

Allison Wolfe Scholarship

University of Florida

Lauren

DeOrio

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

TBD

Lisa

Brockman

Dr Glen R & Rita B Pierson Scholarship

Kairos University

luke

Easterling

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

University of Florida

Madeline

Ballinger

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

Florida Atlantic University

Madeline

Watts

Kathleen H & Kenneth H Kraft Jr Scholarship

Liberty University

Madelyn

Love

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

Samford University

Mallory

Smith

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

University of Florida

Marley

Parks

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

University of Florida

Mary Caroline

Kolar

Bookhardt-Wilson Music Scholarship

Wake Forest University

Megan

Mims

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

University of Florida

Meseret

Brockman

Lee Family Scholarship

University of North Florida

Noah

Bongiorno

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

Tallahassee State College/Florida State University

Phoebe

Williamson

Kathleen H & Kenneth H Kraft Jr Scholarship

University of Florida

Stephanie

Towle

Dr James Porter Jr Scholarship

University of Florida

Sydney

Chamberlain

Hames Family Scholarship

University of North Florida

Watson

Hewitt

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

University of Florida

WILLIAM

KIETZMAN

Heart of the City Foundation General Scholarship

Florida State University

Our Scholarship funds

 

bookhardt-Wilson music scholarship

This scholarship fund was started in memory of Jesse "Jack" Bookhardt—who was very involved with the music program at FPCO until his unexpected death on a youth chorus trip—and Jack and Marion Wilson.

emma caldwell scholarship

Jack Caldwell started this scholarship fund in 2006 in loving memory of his mother, Emma Caldwell, who was a teacher at Howard Middle School for many years.

jim & diane cook scholarship

This scholarship fund was started in honor of an FPCO member’s beloved mother and father, Jim and Diane Cook, who ministered to her in meaningful ways until her last breath.

 

ann wilson divine scholarship

Former board member Russ Divine and his brother Bill started this fund in 2014 in loving memory of their mother, Ann Wilson Divine, who was an educator and had a true love for learning. They felt like it was the greatest way they could honor her. This scholarship is dedicated to lifting up students who are studying English, literature, creative writing, and education. 

Our readers, writers, and educators pour so much love and life into our communities—whether through sharing their art, empowering other artists to gift us their talents, or educating the next generations. We’re proud to grant this scholarship to deserving students each year, to continue the legacy of learning Ann Wilson Divine left to her sons and to us.

See video about Ann Wilson Divine here.

Glenn & Phyllis Fuller Scholarship

Glenn C Fuller loved his work as an aerospace engineer. Passionate about his work and the subjects of math, science, and engineering, he always excited to share his knowledge and encourage others in their math studies. His daughter, Dianna Morgan, says, “He also enjoyed fixing things. . . anything! And he loved helping us solve challenging math problems.” And he especially loved spending time with his beloved family. 

Dianna and her family started this scholarship fund in 2010 in honor of her father, Glenn. Glenn’s family felt that establishing this scholarship fund to empower students who are pursuing careers in math, science, and engineering—areas of study that he so delighted in—was the perfect way to lovingly honor his memory, investing in future generations of engineers, scientists, and mathematicians. 

general scholarship

This scholarship fund is for any student pursuing further education.

stacey guetzloe weekday school scholarship

In 2006, Doug Guetzloe started this scholarship as a Christmas gift to his wife Stacey, who has served as a Weekday School volunteer, committee chairperson, and member of the Advisory Board. The Weekday School has meant a lot to them over the years, with all three of their children having attended and having been shaped by the Weekday School. They want to invest in the education of children as well as encourage others to support the school they love.

Hames Family Scholarship

This scholarship fund was started in 2005 because of Cliff Hames’s belief in the importance of education. He believed that everyone should get the chance to pursue an education.

hester-Hill-Owsley scholarship

This scholarship was started in memory of the Hester family, Sarah Boon Hill, and Carl J & Nancy W Owsley.

 

sarah boon hill scholarship

This scholarship is for a full-time undergraduate student who demonstrates courage, perseverance, and a will to succeed. The student who receives this scholarship must have a GPA of at least 2.0 and preferably have been a part of FPCO’s youth ministry. The student who receives this scholarship must also have at least one recommendation from an active FPCO member.

Irene Lester Miller Scholarship

Irene Lester Miller was a school teacher with a huge heart for her city—she wanted her life to be a ministry to the city, not only in her present, but also in our future. Her desire was to serve her entire community in whatever ways she was able. In all things, she believed in excellence, and as an educator, she encouraged her students to strive for excellence as well. In their studies. In their faith. 

Former Heart of the City Foundation Board Member Donald Brown remembers, “She would get up early in the morning and get her Wall Street Journal, and by 10 o’clock she would be calling her investment advisors, asking questions about what was in the Wall Street Journal. I knew I had to get up before her so I could answer her questions.” With a hearty laugh, he adds, “She never said goodbye. You were talking to her on the phone and when she got through what she wanted to say, she’d just hang up. She was a sweet, sweet lady. Very, very special.”

Irene was the first major donor to the Heart of the City Foundation, giving essentially all she had when she passed away. One of her passions was for future students to continue to be encouraged towards excellence, and this scholarship was established as a part of her legacy.

Elizabeth masden sefcik memorial scholarship

After the passing of their daughter Elizabeth in 1996, The Christ School founders Joe and Eugenia Sefcik started this endowment and scholarship in her beloved memory. Elizabeth was born with a severe chromosomal disorder, expected to live a very short life. The few short weeks Joe and Eugenia had with Elizabeth were a blessing, and the blessing of her life was something they wanted to share with other children.

beryl & betty windsor educator scholarship

Beryl and Betty Windsor were educators in Orange County, Florida for many, many years. They both had an undeniable passion for young people, always wanting to encourage them in their learning, and they were especially compassionate towards the students who struggled. They strived to lift up every student.

As a way to further pour into future generations of educators, Betty often welcomed educator interns from the University of Central Florida into her classroom as well. She so enjoyed the opportunity to mentor them as they learned to lead and encourage their own classrooms of incredible students. 

This scholarship fund was started by Beryl and Betty’s family in their honor, to raise up future generations of educators with the same spirit that Beryl and Betty nurtured throughout their careers and lives. 

glen r & rita b pierson scholarship

dr james porter jr scholarship

This scholarship fund was started by family and friends in memory of Dr James Porter Jr in 1992.

 

general w e “joe” potter scholarship

This scholarship fund was started in 1990 by friends and family in memory of General W E “Joe” Potter, so that every FPCO member can have a chance to pursue further education.

teresa jefford scholarship

This scholarship was created by Teresa Jefford’s family in honor of her memory. Teresa was incredibly thoughtful, always reaching out to her family and friends to make sure they knew she was thinking about them. She was a special needs teacher, who stepped back from teaching when her illness became too debilitating, but who never stopped teaching in the little ways she still could. In the face of her illness, she stayed hopeful and joyful, having faith in her Lord and Savior that her health would one day be restored.

See video about Teresa Jefford here.

annie bell Johnson nursing scholarship

Annie Bell Johnson started this scholarship as a legacy gift when she passed away in 2009. She left this scholarship to empower students in the field of nursing, to pour into future generations.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Stetson University and her master’s degree in nursing education from the University of Colorado, she went on to become an incredible nursing educator. She devoted herself to her family, to her work in which she touched so many lives, and to her church, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.

Her grand niece, Emily Dunaway, shared in Annie Bell’s obituary, “Annie Bell always had the warmest smile at our gatherings and such sweet eyes that always let me know how much she cared about being there and spending time with all of us.” Annie Bell was also as scholarly as she was spiritual and kind, enjoying a wonderful collection of the greatest poets and writers.

david swanson pastoral scholarship

kathleen h kraft & kenneth h kraft jr family scholarship

This scholarship fund was started by Kathleen and Kenneth Kraft in 2013.

lee family scholarship

 

lucille & robert mccutchen christian ministerial scholarship

This scholarship fund was started in 1994 by Lucille McCutchen in memory of her husband Robert McCutchen.

allison wolfe scholarship

robert a robertson Memorial scholarship

This scholarship fund was started in 1995 as a legacy gift by Robert A Robertson, better known by his friends and family as “Bob” or “Robbie.” Bob was an influential and generous member of FPCO and HOCF. For 58 years, he served FPCO and HOCF in many capacities—as a deacon, an elder, and the financial chair as well as the President of the Trustees at HOCF. One of his strong beliefs was that education is vital to creating equal opportunity and a better world, empowering those who have little to rise as future leaders.

Are you a student?

We here at the Heart of the City Foundation are passionate about encouraging and empowering students who love Jesus Christ—we believe it is vital that we support the future influencers of our church, city, and world. If you are or someone you love is a student—Weekday School, The Christ School, undergraduate, graduate, or vocational/technical school—we would love to receive your application for a scholarship.

To apply, you will need two recommendation letters—one from an academic mentor, one from a spiritual mentor. We’d like your recommenders to answer two questions in one paragraph: what is their relationship to you, and what are up to three qualities they wouldn’t want us to miss about you! You will also need to email (heartofthecityfoundation@fpco.org) or snail mail (address in the footer) your official transcript to us.

Thank you to everyone who submitted an application for our 2025 scholarship season!