NEWS

Mr. Aylon Pate

In honor of her late husband and in order to continue to serve her calling in the field of education, Bettye Pate, Louisiana Tech Class of 1959, is funding two $100,000 scholarships, one in Human Ecology and one in Nursing.

The endowed scholarships are given by Bettye in memory of her husband of 46 years, Aylon, who passed away in July 2022.

The purpose of both the Bettye and Aylon Pate Human Development and Family Science/Nutrition and Dietetics Scholarship and the Bettye and Aylon Pate Nursing Scholarship is to provide up to $1,000 per quarter to assist a student pursuing a profession in either one of those vocations.

“We are deeply honored that Ms. Betty Pate has chosen to develop the Bettye and Aylon Pate Scholarships — both in Human Development and Family Science/Nutrition and Dietetics and in Nursing — that will honor her late husband, Aylon, while providing significant support for our students,” Dr. Gary Kennedy, Dean of Tech’s College of Applied and Natural Sciences, said. “The School of Human Ecology, which houses the Human Development and Family Science and Nutrition and Dietetics academic degree programs, and the Division of Nursing, which houses the Nursing degree program, are academic units within the College of Applied and Natural Sciences. We appreciate Mrs. Pates’ recognition and support of these diverse academic areas, all of which are essential to the success of our society. Her commitment will be the difference-maker for so many students, and those students will make a difference in their careers for so many others.”

A Tech graduate in Home Economics, Bettye never had the opportunity to pursue her desire to become a nurse. Nonetheless, she spent her life serving the people of Jackson Parish as a home economics teacher, food service supervisor for Jackson Parish Schools, and as an officer in numerous civic service organizations, including the VFW, the Jackson Parish Garden Club, and the Jackson Parish Museum. She is the first female president of the Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce and remains active in many capacities in the Jonesboro First Methodist Church.

Students who earn the scholarships must be pursuing a degree in either Human Development and Family Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, or Nursing.