Rebecca Arlington-Davis
Date: August 28, 2000
Story and photos by: Dawn Fuller
Archive: General News
p>A generous bequest to UC's College of Education is lifting the financial burdens of
outstanding UC students who want to teach young children. Rebecca Arlington-Davis, a
fourth-year early childhood education major, is this year's recipient of the Pearl M.
Wright Award. The honor will provide $27,000 dollars over a two-year period to pay for
tuition, books and other school-related expenses, as well as housing and living costs. It's
considered one of the largest undergraduate merit awards at any public university in the
United States, according to Stanley E. Henderson, UC associate vice president for
enrollment management.
 Arlington-Davis, a 23-year-old Price Hill resident, grew up in
Westwood and is a 1995 graduate of the School for the Creative and
Performing Arts. She says her inspiration to become a teacher came from her mother,
who was a home child care provider. "It's what I've always wanted to do. It's a way for
me to give back to the community. I want to teach first or second grade."
The award was established in the will of Kathryn E. Wright, which created an
endowment totaling $680,000. The will ordered that the annual award be named in
memory of Kathryn's sister, Pearl M. Wright, who died in 1990. According to Kathryn's
will, the recipient of the Pearl M. Wright award must exemplify "high moral and
academic standards of a primary teacher who is sensitive, loving and understanding of
little children." Both Kathryn and Pearl Wright graduated from UC's College of
Education in the 1920s and spent their careers educating children. Kathryn Wright died
in 1996 at age 95.
Arlington-Davis was selected from a field of 11 outstanding students. "In addition to
her academic achievements, Rebecca's professionalism and commitment to helping each
child reach his or her potential best exemplifies the spirit of the Pearl M. Wright award,"
says Regina Sapona, associate dean for the College of Education.
Arlington-Davis is an active volunteer at the James E. Biggs Early Childhood
Education Center in Covington, Kentucky. She got involved with the preschool while
earning practical experience toward her degree, but now dedicates her own time to
working in the classroom and volunteering for family nights.
After Arlington-Davis completes her fourth year at UC, she'll spend a fifth year in a
teaching internship as part of the Cincinnati Initiative for Teacher Education (CITE), a
partnership that's nationally recognized for its preparation of future teachers. She'll also
earn partial credit toward her graduate degree during her fifth year at UC.
Arlington-Davis is the college's second recipient of the award. The first, Dewana
Guill, joins UC's master's degree program and begins her teaching internship at Struble
Elementary this fall. "I was always excited about going into teaching, but the award has
lightened my burden by an unbelievable amount," said Guill. "Because of the award, I
was able to stop working and focus solely on my teaching and schooling. I've been able
to spend my free time getting ready for my internship this year. It has completely
changed my view on things."
|
