LaGrange Rotary Club—Walter Y. Murphy Scholarship

The Walter Y. Murphy Scholarship was established in 1998 with the help of the Callaway Foundation as the club’s project for LaGrange Rotary’s 75th anniversary in 1997. Named for our late friend and fellow member Walter Murphy—past president of our club, past district governor and past president of LaGrange College—the scholarship honors his commitment to education and service.
Four recipients who have a record of volunteerism or service above self along with financial need are chosen annually by LaGrange College. They exemplify Walter Murphy’s commitment to the college as they maintain a grade point average of 3.2 or higher and dedicate their time to helping others.
2024 Recipients
- Yolando Barrett is a freshman from Gainesville pursuing a minor in Aviation. He has not yet decided on a major, but he is excited about taking advantage of all the opportunities available at LaGrange College. Yolando is a member of the Panther football team and runs a clothing brand that helps fund his education and extracurricular activities. He says coming to LaGrange was "a no-brainer" and he knew it was where he could become successful.
- Jimmy Cancino is a junior Nursing major. He transferred to LaGrange from the University of North Georgia. Jimmy identifies as a Christian who loves spending time with friends and family. He works at WellStar West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange. In his free time, he enjoys working out, golfing, hunting and helping others. Jimmy says he enjoys the environment at LaGrange College, particularly getting one-on-one help from his professors.
- Michael Haase is a senior Sports Management major from Sharpsburg. He is a student-athlete who plays defender on the Panther Men’s Soccer Team. He is a member of the Sports Management Club and a representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. Michael says he was drawn to LaGrange by the beautiful campus, smaller class sizes, soccer and all the resources the college offers for him to be successful in his chosen career.
- Colin Jones is a junior from Duluth. He transferred to LaGrange from Barton College in North Carolina in the spring of 2022 and has "loved every bit of being a Panther." He is an infielder on the baseball team and says the college is a great fit for him because of the sense of community on campus. "Everyone supports each other, and it's a great place to meet new people," he says.
Goal & Progress
LaGrange College and the LaGrange Rotary Club strive to double the existing endowment, and our hope is to continue providing opportunities for future students. To date, 122 students have received support from the Walter Y. Murphy Scholarship with a total $259,351 awarded. This year, an average $6,180 was awarded per student.
Join the Effort

Contribute to the 25th Anniversary Campaign for the Walter Y. Murphy Scholarship Fund now and your gift will be matched by the Callaway Foundation. Don’t miss this chance to double your contribution and provide financial assistance to many more students at LaGrange College! This amazing opportunity was made possible by a generous grant from the foundation. Since its creation, the fund has grown to an incredible $547,365.13.
If you already donate to LaGrange College, consider an additional gift to the LaGrange Rotary—Walter Y. Murphy Scholarship Fund.
Send a check
Make a check out to LaGrange College or, if your company prefers, to LaGrange Rotary. Indicate “WYM Scholarship” in comments. Remember that a gift to LaGrange College is tax-deductible.
Mail to:
LaGrange College
Advancement Services
601 Broad Street
LaGrange, GA 30240
Add to your dues
Add a gift to your monthly Rotary dues by contacting Ken Miles
Obtain a match from your company
Many companies will match gifts to LaGrange College or LaGrange Rotary. Ask for a matching gift form to include with your gift.