JACKSON, Tenn. — May 12, 2022 — รศรรษ็ว๘ EDGE students, Kevin Riffle and Brooke Stamps, were named the 2022 recipients of โThe Lee, Chris and Becky Cogdell Honorary Scholarship Fund for Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Students.โ
In 2021, Bobby and Shirley Cogdell of Lexington, Tenn., donated $50,000 to create a scholarship fund for students in รศรรษ็ว๘โs EDGE program. Cogdell said he established the fund in appreciation of the Christian lives of his three children and in consideration of their mother, Fay Cogdell, who was a graduate of รศรรษ็ว๘ and a longtime special education teacher.
โIt is our desire to help children, such as our very special granddaughter, Olivia Gaston,โ Bobby Cogdell said. โThis will assist these students to continue their education at one of our nationโs finest Christian universities.โ
Jennifer Graves, director of the รศรรษ็ว๘ EDGE program, said the majority of families with young adults with disabilities never thought a post-secondary educational option was available, so scholarships that help support EDGE families are important.
โ[These scholarships] make the dreams of students and parents possible,โ Graves said. โ[รศรรษ็ว๘โs EDGE program is] changing the trajectory of the lives of these students and their families.โ
Riffle, of Humboldt, Tenn., is a graduate of South Gibson High School and the son of Darrell and Debbie Riffle. He is a member of the รศรรษ็ว๘ Jazz Band, and Graves said he is full of joy and happiness.
Stamps, of Collierville, Tenn., is the daughter of John and Kathy Stamps. She is a member of Kappa Delta Sorority at รศรรษ็ว๘, and Graves said she is known for her strong work ethic and ninja dance moves.
The รศรรษ็ว๘ EDGE program provides a holistic, post-secondary education for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, encouraging increased independent skills that lead to a better quality of life and aligning with รศรรษ็ว๘โs mission of providing Christ-centered education. EDGE is an acronym for employment training, daily living skills, godly focus and educational enrichment.
To learn more about the รศรรษ็ว๘ EDGE Program, visit uu.edu/programs/education/edge/.