ETBU Receives Funds for West Rusk Students

MARSHALL — Thursday morning Fenton Motor Group and East Texas Baptist University leaders met to exchange a check for one hundred thousand dollars for the students of West Rusk High School to attend ETBU in the fall. KETK reports the donation was given in response to the fact that funds never came through from a scholarship announcement made by Robert Jordan on May 29. Jordan said that his friend, Nick Sturghill, would provide full ETBU scholarships to the 2013 class.

ETBU officials say they were shocked when this large donation came in right at the tuition deadline. ETBU enrollment official Vince Blankenship explains, “We got a phone call that this might be a possibility and throughout the day we heard back and forth and it was confirmed (Wednesday) afternoon. It was a really quick decision and very timely, which is fortunate for these students so they could make those decisions.” Students were very grateful for the donation. Senior Ashley Tarbutton says, “My semester is paid for and I don’t owe any money this first semester so it was just a huge relief to get that call.” There is also a fund set up for the students of West Rusk High School at East Texas Baptist University.

There’s still no word from Sturghill on when his donation might come through. A spokesman for the filmmaker said earlier that Jordan’s announcement was premature and that the money was to have been given out in 2014.