The foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax deductible organization. Annually, the foundation will provide scholarships to qualified, deserving, and board selected approved applicants. Applicants that are awarded scholarships will be able to use the funds towards furthering their education and expenses related to such. The scholarship can be used towards a college, university, vocational, technical or trade school.
Although several factors will be considered in the review process, Kindness will be the largest contributing factor. The primary goal of the foundation is to honor the legacy of Jim and Bev Ragland by supporting the next generation of Kind and Happy individuals looking to further their education.
Bev had her Doctorate in Early Childhood Development and started Child Culture Center: a daycare/preschool well ahead of its time in 1969. The curriculum included the Arts and a STEM program (prior to such a name) in a caring and nurturing environment. At its pinnacle, there were three Child Culture Centers–located in Detroit, Birmingham and the largest in West Bloomfield, MI. Bev was an incredibly gifted, charismatic, extremely creative, and loving early education teacher. She loved kids and they loved her. She truly believed in growing HAPPINESS and made it her mission to grow HAPPINESS in each child she met.
Jim had a Bachelor of Science in Business from Michigan State University (Go Green!). After starting in a business career, he found his real calling when he decided to substitute teach. He returned to school to receive his Masters in Education. His first teaching position was in District 7 in Dearborn Heights, MI where he also coached football. He then moved to Farmington Hills in 1985 where he taught at East, eventually finding his heart and home at Power Middle School. There, he also coached track and cross country for 36 years. Although Jim was a Math and English teacher, Mr. Ragland is best remembered for the stories he told and the life lessons he taught. Jim is quoted saying, “When people ask me what I taught, I would often say life. I talked about the importance of being kind, caring, and listening to others” (2020).
Sadly, Jim was diagnosed with liver cancer in late January 2021. Knowing the diagnosis was terminal, his children wanted to memorialize their father with a scholarship and discussed it with him prior to his passing. In Jim’s mind the criteria was to be simple—The scholarship was to be based solely on KINDNESS, it was to be used towards either college or a trade school. With that conversation, the criteria was set and the foundation was formed.
Requirements:
Criteria:
Scholarship(s) will be awarded based on the following:
Application Materials:
Only complete applications will be considered. A complete application is to include the following:
1) Application form
2) High school transcript including grades from 1st semester senior year
3) Recommendation letters from two teachers
4) Recommendation letter from one civic leader (i.e. member of city council or school board; religious leader such as a pastor, priest or youth group leader; academic administrator; or business leader)
5) Proof of your acceptance at qualified school
6) Essay (2 page limit) providing example(s) of the unique kindness you display to others and how you plan to continue to impact your community with kindness.
COMPLETED APPLICATION AND ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN APRIL 15 to contact@jamesandbeverlyragland.org
After the review and selection committee process, scholarship recipients will be contacted by no later than June 1st.
You can also make a standalone donation to the Foundation to help us further eduction in Jim and Bev’s honor by clicking below:
