Greetings from the “DeKalb County Bama Club”, a Chapter of The University of Alabama National Alumni Association. The DeKalb County Bama Club invites all alumni, friends, fans, and supporters of The University of Alabama to participate in Chapter functions and fundraisers throughout the year. Our mission is to be an advocate for The University of Alabama and to raise funds to support scholarships to deserving students from DeKalb County. The DeKalb County Chapter currently has Fifteen (15) active endowed scholarship funds providing scholarships for entering freshmen and transfer students in DeKalb County to The University of Alabama. Donations to any of the existing scholarship funds are welcome with information about how to donate or start your own scholarship fund contained under the “Scholarship Information” tab below.
The annual functions of the DeKalb Bama Club include a Bama Bound Party for entering freshmen and transfer students, Alabama/Auburn Golf Shootout, and planned fall and spring events of interest to alumni, friends, and fans. We invite you to become a member of the Dekalb County Bama Club and welcome your active participation in the annual events of the Chapter that support the rich tradition of excellence at the University. Complete the membership application here:
If you have questions about the DeKalb County Bama Club, or Chapter events or want to discuss how you can become a part of the Chapter please contact any of our Officers or Committee members listed below. Your involvement matters!
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!
Steve Chambers
President
DeKalb County Bama Club
A Chapter of the Alabama National Alumni Association
Chapter President
CHAPTER OFFICERS
DeKalb County the University of Alabama Alumni Chapter
Chapter Officers – 2022-2023
President – Steve Chambers
Vice-President/President-Elect – Judson Bates (mailto:judsonbates@gmail.com)
Secretary – Martha Chambers
Treasurer – Bob Thomas
Scholarship Chair: Laurie Parker
Student Recruitment Chair: Linda Thomas
Social Media Chair – Ashley Wofford
Web-Site Design/Marketing – Diana Goss
Special Events/Fundraisers: Bob Thomas, Judson Bates, and Ben Shurett
SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Congrats to these DeKalb County students heading to Bama!
Scholarship Recipients for 2023 – 2024:
· Marco Aguirre Mendoza, Valley Head High School – DeKalb County Chapter Endowed #2
· Anna Banks, Fort Payne High School – John and Martha Wear Memorial Endowed
· Abby Boatwright, Fort Payne High School – DeKalb County Chapter Endowed #2
· Zoey Faulkner, Geraldine High School – DeKalb County Chapter Endowed
· Kylee Gilbert, Fort Payne High School – Willard Cole Family Endowed
· Ryder Griggs, Fort Payne High School – Elizabeth Barnes Thomas Memorial Endowed
· Emma Harrison, Valley Head High School – Shirley Jones Fowler Memorial Endowed
· Anna Murdock, Sylvania High School – Elizabeth Barnes Thomas Memorial Endowed
· Fernando Padilla, Collinsville High School – DeKalb County Chapter Endowed #2
· Ethan Noah Parker, Fyffe High School
· Talula Belle Scott, Fort Payne High School – David Beddingfield Endowed
· Isaiah Thomas, Sylvania High School
· Rylee Tillery, Collinsville High School – Ray and Ida Thurman Tullis Endowed
· Katelyn Wells, Ider High School – Eberhart Family Memorial Endowed
· Sophia Grace Wills, Collinsville High School
Scholarships are one of the strongest tools for the University of Alabama, particularly those awarded through the Alumni Scholarship Program and including the DeKalb County Endowed Scholarships. Our chapter is honored to have 11 endowed scholarships available to DeKalb County students and is proud of our commitment to assisting students. Below is a list and description of these scholarships.
SCHOLARSHIP DESCRIPTION LIST
DeKalb County Chapter Endowed was established in 1989 and is awarded to entering freshmen from DeKalb County. Funds for this endowment were raised through our annual Alabama/Auburn Golf Shootout.
DeKalb County Chapter Endowed #2 was established in 1991 and is awarded to entering freshmen from DeKalb County. Funds for this endowment were raised through our annual Alabama/Auburn GolfShootout.
Shelton P. Cox Memorial Endowed was endowed in 1996 by his family in memory of Shelton Cox who was a UA graduate. This scholarship is to be awarded to a Valley Head High School graduate who plans to major in business.
David Beddingfield Endowed was established in 2000 by David Beddingfield who graduated from the University of Alabama and was a member of the football team from 1966 to 1970. David served as president of the Fort Payne School Board for a number of years and has a strong desire to see that students are able to continue their education beyond high school. This scholarship is to be awarded to an entering freshman from Fort Payne High School or an active teacher from Fort Payne working on an advanced degree.
Shirley Jones Fowler Memorial Endowed was established in 2005 by her friends and family members. Shirley was a graduate of Valley Head High School and worked for the University of Alabama following her graduation. Preference in awarding this scholarship is given to a graduate of Valley Head High School.
Willard Cole Family Endowed was established in 2016 by his three sons (Randall, Charles, and Bobby) all three graduates of the University of Alabama. This scholarship is to be awarded to an entering freshman or transfer student from DeKalb County.
John and Martha Wear Memorial Endowed was established in 2017 by his son and two daughters (David, Claudia, and Mary Lou) all graduates of the University of Alabama. This scholarship is to be awarded to an entering freshman from DeKalb County.
Elizabeth Barnes Thomas Memorial Endowed was established in 2017 by her son Robert Thomas. Mrs. Thomas was a 1936 graduate of the University of Alabama as well as her two sons and two of her grandchildren. Preference in awarding this scholarship is given to an entering freshman or transfer student from Fort Payne High School.
Eberhart Family Memorial Endowed was established in 2018 by Stephen (Steve) and Brenda Eberhart to honor the memory of Steve’s parents and brother, James F. (Jimmy) Eberhart, Jr., Carolyn Kellett Eberhart, and James “Fred” Eberhart, III. Carolyn Eberhart attended the University of Alabama and both sons, Steve and Fred, are graduates of the University of Alabama. Jimmy and Carolyn Eberhart were firm believers in a quality college education and instilled this belief in their children. The Eberhart family have been lifelong supporters of the University of Alabama and the National Alumni Association with a desire to assist deserving students with the opportunity to obtain a college education. Preference in awarding this scholarship is given to entering freshmen or transfer students graduating from Fort Payne High School with secondary priority given to entering freshmen from any DeKalb County School.
The James P. and Doris H. Carmichael Family Endowed Scholarship Doris Frances Helms Carmichael was born May 22, 1930, in Sand Rock, Alabama. She graduated from Valley Head High School in 1948 and attended the University of Alabama from 1948 to 1949. After years of dedicated service as an insurance agent, Doris retired from ALFA Insurance Company. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Payne, Alabama; a member of the Valley Head Chapter of Eastern Star; a Councilwoman in the Town of Hammondville Alabama; and past president and member of the Valley Head Women’s Club. She passed away October 23, 2008.
James Pomeroy Carmichael, Jr. was born September 6, 1926, in Valley Head Alabama. He graduated from Valley Head High School in 1944. Jim served his country as a member of the United States Merchant Marine Corp during WWII. He owned a full-service station in Valley Head, Alabama. As a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Payne, Alabama, Jim served his church as a deacon. He served for 47 years on the Board of Directors for the Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative, serving as President of the Board for many of those years. Mr. Carmichael loved Valley Head and was proud to be a part of its civic life.
Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael were married July 3, 1949. They have four children: James Larry Carmichael (deceased), Linda Carmichael Thomas, William Gary Carmichael (deceased) and Emma Suzanne Carmichael. Larry, Linda, and Emma are graduates of the University of Alabama. Their grandchildren are William Robert Thomas, Kathryn Thomas Lucas, Lucy Frances Ricketts-Steffens, Dr. John Carmichael Ricketts, and Mary Virginia Pauline Ricketts who are all graduates of the University of Alabama, and James Henry Ricketts (deceased). They have four great grandchildren, Stella Elizabeth Thomas, Perry Elizabeth Lucas, Oliver Henry LeFevre-Ricketts, and Theodore James LeFevre-Ricketts.
The Robert Karl Wright Memorial Endowed Scholarship Robert Karl Wright was born March 29, 1955, to the late Bill and Pauline Wright. Karl graduated from Fort Payne High School where he was an outstanding member of the Wildcat football team. After high school, Karl attended Marion Military Institute where he was a member of the football team and received his bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University. Karl owned and operated Soft Touch Hosiery with his wife until his death February 26, 2022.
As a member of the DeKalb County Bama Club, Karl was a support of the chapter’s annual scholarship fundraiser. Karl was also a longtime supporter of John Croyle’s Big Oak Ranch. He was a member of the White Hall United Methodist Church. Karl will always be remembered by his friends for his “off the wall, outer space comments that no one else would have thought of.”
Karl is survived by his wife, Evelyn Casey Wright and son, Derrick Rogers (Rachael), and was PawPaw to Sara and Averi Rogers. The president of a local bank in Fort Payne said of Karl, “I don’t know anyone who didn’t like Karl.” He was a friend to many and an enemy to none.
How to Apply:
High school seniors (and transfer students) wishing to apply for any NAA or DeKalb County scholarship must first apply for admission by completing the UA Admission Application at apply.ua.edu (http://apply.ua.edu). After submitting a completed application, the student may then set up a “myBama” account. The scholarship application is accessible only through this link. By completing both applications and submitting all required fees and supporting documents by the specified priority date, a student maximizes the opportunity for scholarship review campus wide.
How to Give:
It is now easier than ever to contribute to DeKalb County scholarships, through the NAA secured online giving site. This site allows everyone the opportunity to make a tax-deductible contribution.
Simply go to http://alumni.ua.edu/scholarships (htt://alumni.us.edu/scholarships)
Find the link “Contribute to an Alumni Chapter Scholarship”.
Scroll to the DeKalb County Chapter (this is the fund name).
Click on the scholarship to which you would like to contribute
Complete and submit the giving information.
You will be able to print a receipt that can be used for tax purposes.
If you prefer, you may write a check to the Alumni Fund, putting the name on the scholarship on the memo line and mail to:
NAA Endowed Scholarship Program
PO Box 861928
Tuscaloosa, AL 35486-0017
How to Establish/Endow a New Scholarship:
Contact Deborah Parr, Director of Alumni Scholarships & Endowments at (205)348-5878 or dparr@alumni.ua.edu or to begin the process locally, contact Bob Thomas at (256)996-0962 or bobthomas0813@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook and social media for current event details.
Join the DeKalb County chapter of The University of Alabama National Alumni Association for a speaker event on April 22 at 5:30 p.m., hosted at the First Methodist Church (Christian Life Center, 206 Grand Ave., SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967).
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Jeff Allen, associate athletic director of sports medicine, mingle with fellow Alabama alums and supporters over dinner, and take part in a raffle featuring Alabama memorabilia.
Tickets are $30 for individuals, $50 for couples, and $150 for a table of six. All ticket options include admission to the dinner program. For tickets and additional information, please contact the chapter via email or call 256-996-0962 or 256-996-1611.
We hope to see you there!
