When founding member Jessie Drey bequeathed more than two million dollars to the Central Florida Branch of the English-Speaking Union (E-SU) more than 25 years ago, she conferred on them both a privilege and a responsibility. She wanted the use of E-SU funds to provide educational opportunities for students, educators and branch members through programs and projects and, thanks to the stewardship of E-SU leadership over the years, the E-SU Jessie Drey Endowment has now grown to more than $5 million.
To honor Drey and the 100th anniversary of the English-Speaking Union of the United States, the organization established The Central Florida English-Speaking Union Jessie Drey Memorial Scholarship program, through a donation of $100,000 in scholarship funds for practicing Central Florida educators to pursue graduate studies at the University of Central Florida.
Qualified candidates may apply for up to $10,000 in scholarship funds to complete a degree in elementary education, secondary social studies or secondary language arts from UCF’s College of Community Innovation and Education. The details of the scholarship and application process are currently being refined and will be available soon.