When Shelly Mize, MSE ’98, EdS ’01, EdD ’03 reflects on her career, she quickly recognizes two sources of inspiration: ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ and her fourth-grade teacher, LaFern Stiver. Now serving as executive director of the Children’s Policy Cooperative of Jefferson County, Mize has honored her teacher by establishing the LaFern Stiver Scholarship within ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ’s Orlean Beeson School of Education.
The scholarship pays tribute to Stiver, who taught Mize at Washington Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and whose influence sparked Mize’s lifelong passion for education.
“At some point in my career, someone prompted me to think about my favorite teacher. We were also asked if we had ever told that teacher he or she was our favorite teacher and why.” Mize said. “I hadn’t, so I looked her up. That was about 20 years ago, and we have been in frequent communication ever since.”
Their bond grew from that moment. Mize and Stiver, now 97, have remained faithful pen pals, exchanging handwritten letters and sharing visits, including one this year when Mize attempted to cook dinner, only for Stiver to insist, “Let’s have ice cream!” Mize laughs about the memory, “When you are almost 97, you can eat all the ice cream for dinner that you want.”
For Mize, Stiver’s impact is immeasurable. “She is the one who instilled in me that desire to be a teacher,” she said. “¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ poured so much into me, and she has too. I don’t want anyone to ever give up on their dreams, and I don’t want the lack of funding to be a barrier for anyone to receive the phenomenal education found at ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ.”
The LaFern Stiver Scholarship will be awarded with preference to graduate students within Orlean Beeson School of Education who exude Christ-like character, are committed to the profession of educational leadership and have demonstrated financial need. Recipients will be selected by faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership.
Learning of the scholarship profoundly moved Stiver. “It’s an incredible feeling to know that I had students that were impacted by my career,” she said. “It’s a wonderful feeling to feel like my life had purpose behind it and that I did make a favorable impression on students along the way.”
Mize hopes the scholarship inspires recipients to embody the same joy and dedication she witnessed in her favorite teacher. “Our goal for this scholarship is that the recipient is a teacher or leader like Mrs. Stiver, one who loves their job, and it shows. Our challenge for this recipient is to be a difference maker.”
The LaFern Stiver Scholarship is part of the Orlean Beeson School of Education’s 110th Anniversary Scholarship Campaign, supporting students who will carry forward the school’s mission to prepare educators and leaders to serve with excellence and character.
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