HANCEVILLE – Ryder Jones is Wallace State’s recipient of the University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship.
Jones, 20, is a West Point High graduate who plans to major in civil engineering at Alabama and eventually apply for medical school.
“I was very surprised when I learned I received the scholarship. I had my mind made up I was going elsewhere in the fall because I knew I couldn’t afford to go to Alabama,” Jones said. “I guess you could say the scholarship helped a dream come true. It means everything to me because attending Alabama has always been a dream.”
Jones was a three-sport star and the salutatorian at West Point before enrolling at Wallace State. Since Jones arrived on campus, he has continued to succeed in the classroom. He has worked as a student mentor in the tutoring lab and is a member of Wallace State’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Jones said one aspect he pointed out in his scholarship application packet was ability to successfully complete the advanced math classes at Wallace State.
“I want to prove I’m worthy of this scholarship and represent Wallace State well,” said Jones, who has served as a volunteer football and basketball coach at West Point for the past two seasons.
Jones wants to ultimately work in the sports orthopedic field.
The Alabama Presidential Scholarship covers the cost of in-state tuition for four semesters, provided the student maintains a 3.0 GPA.
For more information about Wallace State, visitwww.wallacestate.edu.
