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: $2,000 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: $3,000 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.
2025 STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT
2025 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.
2025 SCHOLARSHIP FOR OLDER ADULTS ANNOUNCEMENT
2025 SCHOLARSHIP FOR OLDER ADULTS INSTRUCTIONS AND APPLICATION
2025 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
The Robert P. Wray Scholarship Winner
Natalia Perez
Natalia is a student at Kennesaw State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Nursing. Natalia’s ultimate career goal is to become a nurse-midwife, providing compassionate care across the full spectrum of women’s health, from childbirth to the unique needs of aging women.
The Virginia Smyth Scholarship Winner
Delaney Lockwood
Delaney Lockwood is an MD/MPH student at the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership. She will be applying to Neurology residency this year, and she has special interests in movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
Lois Ricci Scholarship for Older Adults Winner
Xavier Kim
Xavier transitioned from a 30-year career in children’s education to a passionate advocate for aging populations, dedicating his retirement to serving disadvantaged seniors through community work and policy engagement. As a member of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Advisory Committee on Aging and a leader within local senior organizations, he is committed to promoting dignity, equity, and quality of life for older adults.
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