The Online Reflector

By Caitlin Mannan |  Staff Writer

An Indianapolis couple has helped several University of Indianapolis members of the United Methodist Church  earn scholarships and supported a scholarship program that previously had an uncertain financial future.
Before his passing, Walt Brown arranged for the majority of his and his wife Barbara’s estate to be passed along to the university. The couple’s donation brought $500,000 in scholarship money to UIndy that is being designated for the United Methodist Youth Leader Scholar Program.
Chris Hartley, a UIndy freshman, is acutely aware of the impact that the Browns’ gift will have on his education.
“I might not be here at all if I didn’t have this scholarship,” Hartley said. “It’s helped a lot.”
Hartley was chosen as an incoming freshman to take part in the UMYL Scholar program. An art student in visual communication design and photography, Hartley also plays in the Praise Team, participates in The Deliverance Project and meets with the on-campus Christian men’s group, The Peak.
Benton Cartledge, another UMYL scholar, attributes part of his collegiate successes to being a recipient of this scholarship.
“It’s helped me get a more well-rounded college experience,” Cartledge said.
Cartledge has attended the Appalachia Service Project each year he has been at UIndy. According to the Lantz Center for Christian Vocations Web site (vocations.uindy.edu), ASP, a nonprofit Christian ministry, aims to “decrease substandard housing in rural areas of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.”
Students must meed several requirements before becoming a UMYL Scholar.
“They [the selection committee members] look at grades and your involvement with your home United Methodist Church,” Cartledge said. “Involvement in my church definitely helped.”
Michael Cartwright, dean of ecumenical and interfaith programs, said the financial future of the UMYL Scholars Program was in jeopardy before the Browns made their gift.
“Our hope was that one way or another we could continue it,” Cartwright said. “Our mental goal was to raise $1 million for it, but we’re grateful for what we have received.”
Cartwright also said the program’s main focus is to develop student leadership.
“That’s what we offer to the United Methodist Church in order to cultivate leaders,” Cartwright said. “Intensive mentoring happens between all people in the program. When that is targeted toward each student with abilities, it allows them to develop leadership ability.”