Troy University is proud to announce the establishment of the Stefanie Renee Sharpe Endowed Memorial Scholarship, a gift created by James and Jodi Wells in honor of alumna Stefanie Sharpe. The scholarship will support students studying in the Department of Teacher Education, which is housed in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
“Since our son has had such a positive experience at TROY, it has reignited my passion for the University,” said Jodi Wells. “We wanted to do something that would bless others while keeping Stephanie’s memory alive.”
Sharpe, a member of Phi Mu, studied education at TROY with aspirations of becoming a teacher and one day a superintendent. Her sisters in Phi Mu remembered her as a woman who lived by the values of love, honor and truth.
“Stefanie embodied the very essence of love, honor and truth. These were not just words to her but guiding principles that shaped every aspect of her life. She loved deeply and wholeheartedly,” the statement reads. “Her family and friends were the center of her world, and she poured herself into those relationships with unwavering devotion. She was fun loving and was always ready to hang out with her Phi Mu sisters to study, go for a walk or share a fun night out.
“Her passion for education was more than a career path, it was a calling. She dreamed of making a lasting impact, even envisioning herself one day becoming a superintendent, a reflection of her desire to lead with integrity and serve with purpose. Her commitment to honor extended into her time with Phi Mu, where she served as Ritual Chair. In this role, she upheld and celebrated the rich history and symbolism of the sorority she so deeply cherished.”
The endowed scholarship will be awarded annually to education majors at Troy University who are members of Phi Mu in good standing with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Scholarships may be merit- or need-based, and recipients will be selected by the Office of Student Services. Each recipient will be required to write a letter of appreciation to the donors, continuing a spirit of gratitude alongside Sharpe’s legacy of service.
Sharpe’s life was tragically cut short in 1998 during her senior year at Troy University due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Her mother, Patricia Sharpe, shared that Stefanie’s favorite quote, written by Forest E. Whitcraft, reflected her life’s mission: “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
Through this endowed scholarship, Sharpe’s passion for children and education will live on, inspiring future educators in the Department of Teacher Education to lead with love, honor and truth.
