First Winner of Maurice Steward Scholarship in Elementary Education is Announced
JONESBORO – An elementary education major whose career goal is inspiring young students is the first recipient of the Maurice La‘Blance Mahon Steward Elementary Education Scholarship at Arkansas State University.
Tia Duvall, a first-generation college student, is a senior in the College of Education and Behavioral Science.
The Maurice La‘Blance Mahon Steward Elementary Education Scholarship was established in 2020 with an endowment gift by Robbia and Shelvy Keglar of Indianapolis. The couple was among the inaugural group of longtime university donors who were inducted into the university's Legacy Society in 1999.
This scholarship, inspired by Robbia Keglar’s mother and her family’s tradition in education, benefits minority students at A-State. Preference is given to graduates of Forrest City High School, with top students from other areas also considered.
Mrs. Steward taught in the Forrest City School District for 40 years. She and her husband, Robert (R.L.) Steward, ensured that all seven of their children would become college graduates. Three of their daughters -- Robbia, Ivory, George Faa -- and a grandson, Shelvy Keglar Jr., all graduated from A-State.
Highly recommended for the scholarship because of her academic achievements and public service, Duvall has made the Dean’s List and previously was awarded the Arkansas Geographical Minority Teacher Scholarship. The Little Rock native is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., NAACP, and Pretty Proverbs, and she enjoys playing the piano, singing, reading and writing poetry. She plans to continue her education by earning a master’s degree, then start a teaching career, encouraging younger children to excel.
Those who wish to provide additional support to the Maurice La‘Blance Mahon Steward Elementary Education Scholarship may do so on online at AStateAlumni.org/GiveNow.
