This year’s recipients have been named for the Reggie Smith Foundation Minority Scholarship at Williams Baptist University.  The Smith Foundation selected WBU students Rebecca Brown and Renan Paiva (pictured above with WBU President Dr. Stan Norman) to receive the scholarship award for the 2019-20 school year.

Brown is sophomore from Jacksonville, Ark., majoring in social studies education, while Paiva is a sophomore from Sao Paulo, Brazil, majoring in business administration.

Smith, a 1985 Williams alumnus, launched the scholarship last year to help minority students complete their education at WBU.  “Looking back on my educational experiences, I wanted to see if we can help minority students who attend Williams in getting access to some much needed financial assistance to continue their educational pursuit,” Smith said.

Smith, who lives in the Dallas area, is a graduate of Pocahontas High School.  He is a US Army veteran, and for the past 25 years he has been in sales management within the pharma/biotech industry.  He said he established the scholarship to assist and inspire a new generation of Williams students.   The foundation selects recipients and awards the scholarships annually.

“I hope it helps them bridge a financial gap they may have in acquiring their education.  I also hope it inspires them to see a person of color being in a position to reach back and help someone and that they too can do that one day,” he noted.

“These are students who represent WBU very well, and it is very gratifying to see them receive this recognition and support from the Reggie Smith Foundation Minority Scholarship.  Mr. Smith is doing something very meaningful for students at his alma mater, and we sincerely appreciate it,” said Dr. Doug Walker, vice president for institutional advancement.

Williams is a Christian, liberal arts university in Walnut Ridge.