Keglars Set up Scholarship Benefiting Forrest City Students
JONESBORO – Born into a family of educators, Maurice La'Blance Mahon Steward chose teaching for her own career. Through her dedication to the profession she instilled in others, especially her children and families, her love of education.
Robbia and Shelvy Keglar are taking that love for education to another level as they endow a scholarship fund in her mother's name at Arkansas State University.
The couple, who now live in Indianapolis, is establishing the scholarship program to assist minority students from Forrest City High School whose goal is to major in elementary education in the College of Education and Behavioral Science.
"I cannot think of a better way for Robbia and Shelvy to honor her mother's memory and give permanent recognition to her contributions as a long-time educator in the Forrest City schools," commented A-State Chancellor Kelly Damphousse. "The couple's generosity, in assisting future educators from Robbia's hometown, is a wonderful gesture for which we at Arkansas State are extremely grateful."
Their initial gift is $50,000 to create the endowment, with additional $1,000 gifts made annually while the endowment fund interest builds.
The Keglars knew Arkansas State is where they wanted to set up the endowment, given they both are A‑State alumni, along with one of their children. They were inspired by Robbia's mother and the family tradition in education.
Mrs. Steward's mother, as well as three sisters and a brother, were educators. A graduate of Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Mrs. Steward taught for 40 years in the Forrest City School District, including Eldridge Butler, DeRossitt and Madison Elementary Schools.
She and her husband, Robert (R.L.) Steward, made sure all seven of their children would become college graduates. Three of their daughters -- Robbia Steward Keglar, Ivory Steward, George Faa Webb Strauss, and her grandson, Shelvy Keglar Jr. -- graduated from Arkansas State University. Robbia and a granddaughter also chose teaching as a career.
"The torch continues to be passed on to the next generation, keeping Mother's legacy and value in education alive," according to Robbia Keglar, '72 and '74, who met husband Shelvy while they were students at A-State. Dr. Keglar, '70 and '74, named Distinguished Alumnus in 1991, has devoted most of his career to Midwest Psychological Center, Inc., where he serves as president.
Robbia earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in education at A-State, and has served for many years as a special education teacher in Indianapolis.
Shelvy's bachelor's and master's degrees are in sociology and rehabilitation counseling, respectively. A letterman in A-State basketball, he was the first Black athlete to graduate and was the first Black member of an A-State coaching staff. He went on to earn a Ph.D. at Indiana University, and more recently he published his autobiography, "Underdog to Top Dog: An Improbable Rise."
The couple was among the inaugural group of longtime university donors who were inducted into the university's Legacy Society in 1999. They also are 1924 Sustaining Life Members of the A-State Alumni Association. Shelvy also served as fundraising chair for the Linual Cameron Scholarship.
Selection for the Maurice La'Blance Mahon Steward Elementary Education Scholarship will be administered through the Strong-Turner Chapter of the Arkansas State University Alumni Association.
Minority students at A-State who are graduates of Forrest City High School and have a minimum 2.7 GPA and at least 60 credit hours toward a bachelor's degree in elementary education may apply for the scholarship.
In addition to the application for privately funded scholarships, applicants must submit a resume, an essay on “Why I Want to be a Teacher,” and two reference letters. The resume should include a listing of university activities, awards and recognitions.
Others who may be interested in endowing a scholarship or supporting other initiatives at Arkansas State University may contact the University Advancement staff in the Cooper Alumni Center, advancement@AState.edu or (870) 972-3940.
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Maurice La'Blance Mahon Steward
