Delta Sigma Theta—Tabitha M. Briggs Memorial Scholarship Fund celebrates anniversary, recognizes new recipient

Honoring the memory of a WKU student who succumbed to breast cancer five days before her 25th birthday in 2005, the Delta Sigma Theta–Tabitha M. Briggs Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to celebrate the spirit of Tabitha Briggs and make a positive impact at WKU.

Members of Revelation, Spring 2003 (Alpha Xi line) of the Eta Zeta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., were joined by additional members of their sorority, scholarship fund committee members and previous scholarship recipients at the Augenstein Alumni Center on April 28, 2018, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Tabitha leading their line into the sorority.

At the event, Symone Whalin, a WKU freshman from Larue County, Ky., was recognized as the 2018-2019 recipient of the Delta Sigma Theta–Tabitha M. Briggs Memorial Scholarship.

“Tabitha had a phenomenal presence and impact on WKU, the surrounding area and throughout our illustrious sisterhood of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,” event organizer Terri Flood, a 2005, 2010 and 2015 alumna remarked to scholarship recipients in attendance. “We honor you for your leadership and challenge you to continue standing out above your peers. Continue to uphold academic success and community service.”

Since the fund was established in 2010, five scholarships have been awarded to deserving WKU students. Recipients of this award must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, exhibit public service to the community through volunteer hours and be a female ethnic or racial minority adding diversity to the WKU campus. Those involved with the scholarship are actively fundraising to enhance the fund so more scholarships can be awarded.

“There was no better way for the 15 of us to celebrate our 15th anniversary as members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., than for us to kick off a fundraising effort for the Tabitha M. Briggs Memorial Scholarship Fund,” said Heather (Howard) Crabbe, a 2004 alumna who also helped organize the event. “During a time of decline in the availability of state resources to support higher education, scholarships like this are critical for creating opportunities for diverse young women who will become our future thought leaders. The fact that we surpassed our $1,500 goal is evidence of our passion for growing the fund. Many others have also contributed since the celebration, and we look forward to many more joining us.”

“It was an honor to participate in this event and hear the impact Tabitha had on so many individuals,” said Jessica Carver, Vice President of the College Heights Foundation. “It is so fitting that her legacy continues to live on through this scholarship fund, and the College Heights Foundation is proud to be able to aid in assisting young women at WKU through this scholarship like Tabitha once did.”

During her time at WKU, Briggs pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., sang with The Amazing Tones of Joy gospel choir and supported the athletic events of her beloved alma mater. She received her bachelor’s degree from WKU in 2004. Briggs also served as an intern for the American Cancer Society’s office in Bowling Green, Ky., where she was able to educate students about healthy lifestyles. She lived life full of energy, enthusiasm and promise. Her positivity allowed her to touch the lives of many others, even during some of her most difficult times.

“She didn’t worry about death and she never let cancer define who she was,” Flood concluded. “She loved and lived life to the fullest. In her own words she said, ‘I try to live every day like it is my last.’”

Click here to make a gift for the Delta Sigma Theta-Tabitha M. Briggs Memorial Scholarship Fund.

For more information, please contact Jessica Carver at (270) 745-2342.

Posted on: May 4, 2018