Philanthropist's Legacy Lives on Through Education

(From left) Jason Chandrapal, first-year medical student; Bill McCunniff, fourth-year medical student; Nicole Mitchell, first-year medical student; and Kokila Kakarala, first-year medical student.

The Helen Hodges Educational Charitable Trust (HHECT) recently hosted its annual scholarship reception awarding scholarships totaling $19,000 to 15 area students, including four TTUHSC medical students. The students each received $1,250 scholarships.

Helen Hodges, wife of Lubbock businessman J.A. Hodges, established the Helen Hodges Educational Charitable Trust in her will.

Helen Hodges served as a trustee until her death in 1998. The trust honors her memory by selecting one recipient in her honor who receives a larger scholarship of $2,000. Income from the trust is used to award scholarships to students attending local universities or who are from the South Plains area and attending other institutions.

The trust is managed by American State Bank, and scholarship recipients are selected by HHECT trustees based on academic achievement and financial need. Including scholarships awarded this month, the trust has awarded more than $424,000 since 1987.