New VGCC Scholarship represents Legacy of Local Club
A new scholarship endowed at Vance-Granville Community College will serve as a lasting tribute to the work of a local service organization.
The Oxford Lodge (No. 103) of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, now inactive, served the Granville County area for many years. Now, funds donated and collected by club members over the years will create the “Oxford Lodge, No. 103, I.O.O.F. Presidential Scholar Award,” at VGCC’s largest, most prestigious endowed scholarship level.
The scholarship endowment was inspired in part by longtime club treasurer J. David Brooks of Oxford, who passed away in February. A member of the organization for more than 25 years, Brooks advocated for supporting VGCC students. According to his wife, Melinda Brooks, he was always interested in education and was a Sunday School teacher. He was a member of the VGCC Board of Trustees from 1995 through 2011. While on the Board of Trustees, Brooks served at various times as chairman of the Building Committee and as the board’s vice-chair. A real estate appraiser, Brooks also served on the North Carolina Appraisal Board, on the Granville Health System Foundation board, and as a Granville County commissioner.
The other remaining members of the Oxford Lodge, Robert and Judy Hunt of Creedmoor, were also educators. Robert (an Odd Fellow for over 70 years) was for many years the principal of Wilton Elementary School, while his wife, Judy, was a Granville County vocational/home economics teacher. “We have wanted to do this for many years, and we are so pleased that it has finally happened,” Judy Hunt said of the scholarship’s creation. She said it represents the efforts and dedication of many local citizens over decades.
The I.O.O.F. traces its origins to a society of ordinary people in 17th-century England who pooled their resources to help the sick and needy. They came to be known as "Odd Fellows" because it was “odd” to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to those in need and of pursuing projects for the benefit of all mankind. It was believed that they were "an odd bunch of fellows" who would behave in such a selfless and seemingly impractical fashion. The I.O.O.F. came to North America in 1819. Male members of the order are usually called "Odd Fellows" and female members, "Rebekahs.” Today, the international organization is headquartered in Winston-Salem and encompasses nearly 10,000 lodges in 26 countries. Historically, the Odd Fellows have supported causes to help the blind and children, including orphanages and educational programs.
“The Odd Fellows’ example of community service is an inspiration to us all,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “Through this scholarship, we will celebrate their support for education and young people for years to come. On behalf of our students, we especially want to thank the Brooks and Hunt families for their leadership in organizing this scholarship.”
Through its Endowment Fund and Scholarship Program, VGCC has awarded more than 8,000 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college's faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information, call (252) 738-3409.
Above: Pictured at the Hunt home in Creedmoor are, in front, from left, Melinda Brooks (representing her late husband, David Brooks), Robert Hunt and Judy Hunt; in back, from left, VGCC Endowment director Eddie Ferguson, Endowment specialist Kay Currin and Vincent Doria of Wake Forest, the deputy grand master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge of North Carolina. (VGCC photo)
