The Rev. Dan L. Garrett Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Description:

Established by the late Mrs. Gladys Garrett and members of the Garrett Family in honor of Rev. Dan L. Garrett, this scholarship will benefit full-time undergraduate Cumberland University students with financial need who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and must have a minimum score of 21 on the ACT or equivalent on the SAT.  The scholarship may be renewed for up to four years and is available for tuition, fees, room and board, and books.

Rev. Dan L. Garrett grew up in Donelson, TN and was the oldest child of Lynn and Gladys Garrett.  Dan chose to come to Cumberland in 1972 because he could not find the right academic fit at other universities and decided to attend a college close to his home.  Cumberland University, only a two year college at the time, provided the foundation for his academic journey during tenure and helped him eventually graduate from MTSU with a degree in Accounting and subsequent Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary.  Dan became a Licensed Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church, serving as a youth pastor, associate pastor, campus minister at Austin Peay State University, and pastor of various congregations in Middle Tennessee and North Georgia. In 2000, he was ordained in the United Church of Christ and served UCC congregations in Georgia and Alabama before becoming the Chaplain for the Infectious Disease Program ministering to HIV/AIDS patients, their families and the staff at Grady Healthcare System in Atlanta, Georgia.  He was pursuing certification in Critical Incident Stress Management, focusing on supporting First Responders, at the time of his passing in 2012.

Dan was passionate about social justice issues especially pertaining to women and children, the underprivileged, addicted, and HIV/AIDS patients.  Because of the foundation that CU gave him, Gladys (Mom) thought a scholarship would be a wonderful way to honor his life and keep his legacy alive.  Dan could connect with people from all walks of life, meet and accept them as they are with compassion and grace.  He was a gentle, true servant-leader and our hope is that students will find inspiration from this life and time he spent here at Cumberland University.