by Sarah Mummert, Student Public Relations Writer
Spring of 2023 marks the inaugural awarding of the George Huff Social Work Scholarship to five social work students at Cedarville University. This fund was established by anonymous donors in honor of George Huff, senior professor of social work, who has faithfully served the university and its students for 23 years.
The scholarship fund, worth $250,000, is the largest scholarship fund for social work students in the university’s 136-year history. The fund will provide each of the five students with a $5,000 scholarship.
The scholarship is based on a student’s financial need, and it is available to any student majoring in social work. To apply, click on the application.
“As much as I appreciate my secular education, I also know that only Jesus Christ and God’s word provide the basis for counseling and life coaching to truly impact and change lives,” said one of the anonymous donors who works in the social work profession.
And, after having seen the impact of Cedarville and its biblical worldview on her son, she wanted to support students who wanted to attend Cedarville for a career in social work.
Since the donors wish to remain anonymous, they created the scholarship in George Huff’s name. This was a way to recognize his efforts in biblical integration in the social work field and the dedication he’s brought to students in the classroom for many years.
Having first served as a social worker in Ohio’s public children’s services for more than 25 years, Huff’s second career as a college educator has now spanned nearly the same amount of time. He supervises graduate-level student social workers, both from Cedarville and other institutions, as part of their Licensed Independent Social Work (LISW) licensure process, and he serves on several university committees, including the Faculty Committee to the President.
“I’ve seen many faculty members come and go,” Huff said. “Many of them have come straight out of practicing social work, like I did, and I enjoy coming alongside new faculty and helping them get acclimated.”
One of the most important aspects of Huff’s work is integrating his faith into his practice.
“My heart for my students is that when they step out into the world wherever the Lord takes them, they will integrate faith and practice,” said Huff. “I prayed for many years that if the Lord took me into academia, I would be able to stand before students as a testimony to the fact that they can, indeed, integrate their faith and practice. That is my desire and prayer for my students.”
When he learned that the scholarship had been named in his honor, he was humbled and excited about the opportunities this provides for his students.
“It just thrills my soul,” he said.
Makayla Lingerfelt, a sophomore from Washington Court House, Ohio, is one of the social work students who received this scholarship. She testifies that the scholarship came at the perfect time.
“In the fall, I was struggling with how I was going to pay for the spring semester when I received my financial aid package, which included the George Huff Social Work Scholarship,” said Lingerfelt. “It served as a reminder of God’s faithfulness to us through all things and of the wonderful community that we have been blessed with here at Cedarville.”
After graduation, Lingerfelt is looking at working in several different areas, including children’s services, the same part of the field in which Huff spent many years of service.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 5,082 undergraduate, graduate, and dual-enrolled high school students in more than 175 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Bachelor of Science in social work, high graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and the #4 national ranking by the Wall Street Journal for student engagement. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.