Katelyn Wilburn, Campus Carrier opinions editor
Berry offers many different scholarship opportunities; our work-based, Christian scholarship programs are unique compared to other schools. There are large communities such as WinShape that promote Christian values during early adulthood. This program gives students a pathway to develop their character and cultivate a healthy community. Berry’s mission of belonging is a priority, but why not for students with religious beliefs other than Christianity? Berry offers no scholarships for any religion other than Christianity, which is unfair to non-Christian students. Berry needs to provide interfaith scholarship programs to accommodate its diverse community, present fairness in financial accommodation and enrich the educational experience for all individuals.
Berry offers multiple Christian scholarship opportunities and programs, such as WinShape and the Lettie Pate Whitehead scholarship. These programs cover a sum of a student’s tuition if they stay actively involved in a Christian community at Berry. Since Berry hasn’t advertised itself as a Christian school in quite some time, our community has diversified since then. There are countless different religious perspectives here, and we even have our own Interfaith Council in Ford. Religious perspective is an interwoven part of some students’ identities, and if Berry doesn’t divert financial resources to these individuals, the community will not have a sustainable foundation to grow upon.
Financial resources are one of the most influential factors for students in choosing a school. Tuition at Berry isn’t cheap, but the vast number of scholarships that are given often provides incentive for people to dive deeper into our welcoming environment. WinShape alone offers a minimum of $16,000 a year towards student tuition, which covers about a third of Berry’s cost. If this is an added incentive for Christian students to consider Berry, wouldn’t we want to add incentives for people of other religions as well? Practicing equity, starting with the religious scholarships Berry gives out, is the start of making Berry a more inclusive campus, one that recognizes needs for many faiths instead of just the predominantly practiced religion.
College offers higher education beyond mandated schooling, leading to better job opportunities, unique learning experiences, and memories that will stick your entire life. These memories are shaped by our diverse communities that foster growth and independence. Interfaith scholarship programs can support the community our students need to thrive within — students can recognize philosophical differences and cultivate a supporting community that welcomes religious diversity.
By supporting students of different faiths, Berry can promote inclusivity and enrich campus culture. Scholarships can help every student feel supported and recognized in the Berry community. Berry was never affiliated with a church, but it used to be advertised as a Christian school. Currently, Berry is no longer advertised as such, and that should be reflected within the programs given. Scholarships for all students will remove financial barriers and support a larger number of students through their academic journey. Financial burden affects people of all religions, and Berry prides itself on helping accommodate all to the best of its abilities. For this reason, adding inclusive scholarships and programs can support students’ investment in their education.