Ruthie Phillips, a music education major at Shorter University, has been selected to receive the Gretchen E. Van Roy Music Education Scholarship, presented by the National Federation of Music Clubs.

The Gretchen E. Van Roy Scholarship is presented in the amount of $1,150 to a junior music education major at an accredited institution. The national organization reviews applications from students who meet a number of qualifications, according to Dr. Jerico Vasquez, artist-in-residence, associate professor of music, and coordinator of keyboard studies at Shorter.

“This scholarship requires potential as a music educator, proficiency in voice and/or piano, creativity, resourcefulness, ability to achieve cooperation from students, and personality that will make students of all ages love music. Of course, Ruthie is the epitome of these qualifications,” Vasquez said.

Since its founding in 1898, the NFMC has grown into one of the world’s largest music organizations with club and individual members of all ages. The NFMC is chartered by the Congress of the United States and is the only music organization member of the United Nations.

NFMC provides opportunities for musical study, performance and appreciation to more than 135,000 senior, student and junior members in 6,500 music-related clubs and organizations nationwide.

During the Spring 2016 semester, Phillips, of Hiram, Ga., won the keyboard performance portion of Shorter’s annual William and Mary Ann Knight Performers Scholarship Competition, receiving a $1,000 scholarship. She also was selected to receive the James D. Holloway Memorial Music Scholarship, presented during the end-of-year awards ceremony for Shorter’s School of Fine and Performing Arts, and an Alumni Leadership Scholarship, presented by Shorter’s Alumni Governing Board. Phillips is a member of Shorter’s chapter of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society and sings with the Shorter Chorale and the Shorter Chorus.

Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christ-centered, four-year liberal arts university committed to excellence in education. The Princeton Review annually includes Shorter on its list of best Southeastern Colleges. Shorter is a member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). The university offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 40 areas of study, online courses and degree programs, undergraduate programs for working adults, and four master’s programs. Learn more about Shorter at www.shorter.edu.

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