June Anderson Foundation awards full-tuition

The June S. Anderson Foundation has awarded full-tuition scholarships to four female nontraditional students at Middle Tennessee State University. The awards, granted in August, are designed to remove financial barriers for women pursuing degrees in fields where they have been historically underrepresented.

Andrienne Friedli, foundation board president and an MTSU chemistry professor, stated the foundation's goal. "Our goal is to remove the financial barriers that often prevent talented, nontraditional students from completing their degrees," Friedli said. She noted these students often balance work, family, and studies.

Scholarship Recipients

The four recipients for 2026 are all from Tennessee. Each is pursuing a different academic path.

Impact on Students

For biochemistry major Meg Thorp, the scholarship has a direct impact on her daily life. She balances school with three jobs. The award allows her to cut back on work hours to dedicate more time to school and research. Thorp plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in bioinformatics.

Criminal justice student Joyceann Smith described the award as a meaningful validation. "This scholarship is more than just financial support, it is a meaningful validation of my academic journey, hard work, and dedication to completing my degree," Smith said. She added that it inspires her to support others in her community.

Savannah Metoyer, a music major, found personal encouragement in the award. Knowing that the June S. Anderson Foundation believes in me and my academic dreams is beyond heartwarming, Metoyer said. Jessica Alsup, returning to school later in life, called the scholarship a blessing that supports a big emotional and financial commitment.

Foundation History and Mission

The June S. Anderson Foundation was established in 1982. It continues the mission of its namesake, June S. Anderson, a pioneering MTSU chemistry professor devoted to expanding educational opportunities.

The foundation specifically supports female students it describes as disadvantaged. This includes those balancing full-time work, single motherhood, or financial hardship while working toward degrees. Over more than four decades, the foundation has awarded more than $475,000 in scholarships.

Recipients have represented a wide range of majors. These include aviation management, criminal justice, animal science, plant and soil science, agribusiness, and STEM disciplines. The foundation is a private, nonprofit organization independent of MTSU's state-funded programs. It remains one of the few regional organizations dedicated exclusively to advancing nontraditional female students.