YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Young Harris College student Jill Davis, Class of 2023, received the McCollough Scholarship to spend approximately six weeks of this summer at Cambridge University’s Wesley House, the Methodist college in Cambridge, England. This scholarship provides the opportunity to study as a member of a reflective, cross-cultural Christian community of scholarship and prayer in the Wesleyan tradition.
The McCollough Scholarship is intended for YHC students who want to learn about the origins of Methodist ministry. In order to receive this competitive scholarship, a student must have a genuine interest in the Methodist heritage, Wesleyan theology and spirituality, and their contemporary role and application. These interests will make for a richer time of study, creating a deeper understanding and appreciation of Methodist origins and heritage and what Wesleyan theology and spirituality offer today’s world. The scholarship recipient must be able to work independently, be self-motivated, and take initiative in shaping aspects of the program to their personal interests. The student must be willing to meet and engage with a small community of international students from across the global Methodist Church, commit to the patterns of prayer and community life at the Wesley House, and participate in the academic, community, and social activities of the college. To benefit fully and to gain course credit from this opportunity, the scholar studies in Cambridge from at least May 15 to the end of June.
“We are excited to be able to send Jill to Cambridge, England, to study the history of the Protestant Reformation and Methodist Church where it began,” said Chair of the McCollough Scholarship Selection Committee Dr. Jennifer Schroeder, YHC Associate Professor of Biology and Coordinator of International Studies. “Having grown up with these faith traditions and being active with Religious Life on our campus, she was the perfect candidate to represent YHC at the Wesley House.”
“As soon as I heard about the McCollough Scholarship, I knew I had to apply or I would spend the rest of my life regretting letting this opportunity pass me by,” said Davis.
Davis is now in Cambridge, where she is studying the history of Methodism as well as Wesleyan theology. Before leaving for the summer, she expressed that she has always wanted to go to England, and that she is thankful for the opportunity to not only go, but also study something she is passionate about in such a location.
Jill Davis, a history major from Tallahassee, Florida, is an upcoming senior at Young Harris College. She has been very involved on campus and in the community since her freshman year. When she is not in class or at Crafting Community gatherings at YHC, she interns at Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church, which greatly contributed to her desire to go to study at the Wesley House. Through her internship, she became heavily involved in the Sharp Memorial UMC Wesley Fellowship group. After graduation, she plans to work at a museum as an interpreter.
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has four academic divisions: Fine Arts; Humanities; Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and Professional Studies. Approximately 1,400 students are enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
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