Dabis given scholarship

BY LETICIA A. SAUNDERS, CAPTAIN – 

Erin Dabis, a student at Seattle Pacific University, is the first recipient of the new Paul and Kay Rader Scholarship. Awarded for fall 2002, the scholarship enables minority students who are active in their corps and pursuing higher education at an accredited Christian college, to continue their education.

This year, only one scholarship will be granted, but one additional scholarship will be added annually until there is a total of four–one in each territory. The scholarship amount will be up to $7,500 per year, based on need.

Erin is an active soldier at two corps: Sacramento Citadel, in California, when she is at home with her officer parents (Majors Warren and Dixie Dabis), and Seattle Temple Corps in Washington, when she is at school.

At both corps, Erin is involved in the music programs, such as band and songsters; she also plays piano and sings for the worship bands. She has been a service corps team member, serving in the Dominican Republic last summer, and this year in the Marshall Islands and Guam.

Erin, who is of Asian/Pacific Island descent, will be pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Theology, as well as a certificate in Spanish Studies at Seattle Pacific University.

Prior to becoming the General of The Salvation Army, (then) Commissioner Paul Rader and Commissioner Kay Rader were Western territorial leaders. The great value they placed on education was evident to all. That has not changed, even though they have retired from active Army service.

They are still actively supporting the Western Territory, and still actively involved in the education of Christians. The combination of these two ministries resulted in the development of this new scholarship for young Salvationists who are pursuing higher education at an accredited Christian college.