Georgia Gerontology Society
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Recognizing our commitment toward the promotion of leadership in gerontology, GGS sponsors an annual gerontology scholarship award program. Applicants must be members of the Georgia Gerontology Society. The student membership rate is $25/year.
The Robert P. Wray Scholarship
Award Amount: Award Amount Up To: $8,500
Level: Undergraduate Student
Robert P. Wray was an active GGS member, a founder of numerous service programs in Pennsylvania and Georgia, and was the first Director of the University of Georgia Gerontology Center. He was first posthumously honored in 1989 by designation of the Wray Legislative Award. However, Society members quickly realized that this educator’s memory would be best honored through naming of the annual gerontology scholarship award
The Virginia Smyth Scholarship
Award Amount: Award Amount Up To: $10,000
Level: Graduate Student
The Virginia Smyth Scholarship is presented annually to offer financial support to persons seeking to advance their careers in aging. The fund, established in 1998, provides scholarships for graduate study in gerontology and promotes leadership development in the field of aging to include a broad knowledge base, strong organizational skills and a vision for the future. The Scholarship was first awarded in 2004 and named for Virginia Smyth, a founding member of GGS and the spirit behind the establishment and endowment of the GGS Scholarship Fund. Click the links below for more information.
2026 STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT
2026 STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP INSTRUCTIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Lois Ricci Scholarship for Older Adults
As a network that educates, serves and advocates for older adults and their families, GGS sponsors an annual gerontology scholarship award program for older adults. This program provides a scholarship opportunity to attend the GGS Annual Conference for older adults in Georgia. It was first awarded in 2018 and was renamed in 2023 to honor the memory of Lois Ricci, a past president and lifelong advocate for older adults. By sponsoring this award, we aim to promote continued interest and involvement in aging-related issues across the lifespan. Click the links below for more information.
2026 SCHOLARSHIP FOR OLDER ADULTS ANNOUNCEMENT
2026 SCHOLARSHIP FOR OLDER ADULTS INSTRUCTIONS AND APPLICATION
2026 Scholarship Winners
The Robert P. Wray Scholarship Winner
Robert Eli McConnell
Robert (Eli) McConnell recently earned his B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Gerontology from the University of Georgia. He will continue at UGA to pursue a Master of Public Health with a concentration in gerontology through the UGA CARE Center before applying to Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs. Eli’s career goal is to become a clinical neuropsychologist, providing whole-health, patient-centered care for older adults with an emphasis on behavioral interventions, lifestyle factors, and neurocognitive health.
The Virginia Smyth Scholarship Winner
Kexin Carrie Ma
Kexin (Carrie) Ma is a registered nurse with more than 11 years of clinical experience and is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychiatric-Mental Health at Georgia Southern University. Her career has included memory care, emergency nursing, trauma ICU, travel nursing, and burn ICU care. She currently serves in the Critical Care Float Pool at Wellstar MCG Health. Inspired by her early work with people living with dementia, Carrie is committed to compassionate, evidence-based care and lifelong learning to improve the health and well-being of the communities she serves.
Lois Ricci Scholarship for Older Adults Winner
Cherry Bowen
Cherry Bowen is the Director of the Washington County Senior Center in Sandersville, Georgia, where she has served older adults and her community for more than 36 years. Inspired by a passion for aging services that began in high school, Cherry built a career centered on promoting healthy aging, social connection, and meaningful engagement through innovative programs and activities. Recognized for her leadership and community service, she remains dedicated to helping older adults live healthy, active, and fulfilling lives.
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