Baptist University’s Annual Scholarship Luncheon Celebrates 97 Recipients

Baptist Health Sciences University celebrated its annual Scholarship Luncheon, honoring 97 students who received academic awards for the 2025–26 school year.

The event brought together scholarship recipients and donors, fostering connections and sharing personal stories as they reflected on their shared commitment to academic excellence and the future of health care.

“The Annual Scholarship Luncheon at Baptist University is always a meaningful and uplifting occasion,” said Sherita Martin, director of development. “It brings us together to sincerely thank our generous donors and to honor the dedication and achievements of our scholarship recipients. Each year, this event reminds us just how impactful scholarship support can be.

Jason Little, president and CEO of Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation, addressed the audience with heartfelt gratitude to donors for their continued support and dedication to advancing health care education. He emphasized the vital role these contributions play in shaping the next generation of health care professionals.

Dominique Crutchfield, a 2015 health administration alumna and current Alumni Association board chair president, delivered an inspiring message about the importance of giving back. Reflecting on her own student experience, she encouraged recipients to one day invest in future students just as others have invested in them.

The luncheon concluded with a panel discussion led by Hampton Hopkins, president of Baptist University, where several scholarship recipients shared how donor support has shaped their academic journeys. Hank Harville, a neurodiagnostic technology student, spoke about adjusting to life in Memphis and how the university’s welcoming community made the transition easier. Melissa Maher, a nursing student and mother of two college students—including one who also attends Baptist University—shared how her scholarship has allowed her to focus more fully on her studies. Kristen Williams, a Memphis native and first-generation college student pursuing a degree in osteopathic medicine, reflected on how growing up in the city inspired her to follow her dream of becoming a physician.

Together, their stories underscored the central message of the event: that scholarships do more than relieve financial burdens—they open doors to opportunity, strengthen the health care workforce, and connect generations of students and donors in a shared mission of service.