Three People + Two Scholarships = One Connection

The College of Education received two incredible gifts establishing new scholarships. Together, the Dr. Estelle E. White Endowed Scholarship and the Paul & Geneva Jenkins Scholarship, have added $800,000 to the College endowment and in the years ahead will provide over $40,000 annually to deserving students. Scholarships like these create a legacy for the donors and provide a direct impact to the College by helping to recruit and retain outstanding students.

Dr. Estelle White, a two-time NC State College of Education graduate and former Associate Professor in the Department of Adult and Community College, passed away in Newport, NC early last year. In 2006 she made arrangements in her will to establish a scholarship. “I would never have gotten to where I am today without help, and now I can help others who are in need,” said White. This commitment and forward thinking was a reflection of White’s love for NC State and her desire to help students attend college and become professional educators, especially those who have the merit but lack the resources.

While working as a home demonstration agent in Franklin and Halifax Counties, White continued her education by earning both her master’s degree and Ph.D. at NC State. Dr. Edgar Boone, her advisor and mentor at NC State, was so impressed with her work ethic, talent and caring for others, that he hired her in 1971 as an associate professor in the Department of Adult and Community College. At the time, she was the only female in the department and remained on staff until she retired in 1988.

After returning to her hometown of Newport, White met Paul and Geneva Jenkins. They established a close friendship while spending time together as members of St. James United Methodist Church. White was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and she turned over the handling of all her affairs to the Jenkins. The couple spent a lot of time helping care for White through the years and NC State was a frequent topic of conversation.

White inspired the Jenkins to also assist future educators by establishing a scholarship at the NC State College of Education. They did so in honor of Dr. Estelle White and her brother Raymond Edwards. The Jenkins have two daughters and five grandchildren. One of their grandsons graduated from NC State and still resides in the Raleigh area. Currently, Geneva is a retired banking officer from First Citizens Bank and Paul is a retired president of Morehead City Shipping Company and continues to work as an accountant. And, the couple still resides in Newport, NC.