Donation Secures New Irish Scholarship at Chahta Foundation

DURANT, Okla. – The donors who began the Chahta Foundation’s prestigious Saint Patrick of Ireland Scholarship have made an additional $50,000 donation starting a second scholarship, the Saint Bridget of Kildare Scholarship. Like the first, it too is for Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma students.

Allison and Gerry Mulvey established the Saint Patrick scholarship in 2016 as a way to commemorate the Choctaw Nation’s aid to the starving people of Ireland in 1847. The donation by the San Antonio, Texas couple is offered annually to three high school seniors, living on the Choctaw Reservation, majoring in STEM studies – science, technology, engineering or math.

Seth Fairchild, executive director of Choctaw Nation Cultural Services and the Chahta Foundation, said, “Gerry and Allison have been long-time partners with the foundation and friends to our tribe. Their gift will impact Choctaw students for many years to come and is a testament to the connection between the Choctaw and Irish people.”

Plans were launched in 2020 to develop the Mulvey’s donation to the Chahta Foundation to include the second scholarship, which honors Saint Bridget of Kildare.

Awards for the new scholarship are for Choctaws who are already undergraduate students attending a four-year institution, at sophomore and higher level, in a bachelor’s program majoring in mathematics, science, or engineering. The Saint Bridget of Kildare Scholarship is for $2,000, $1,500, and $500 to help cover education expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies.

Application deadline to receive Chahta Foundation scholarships, including the first Saint Bridget of Kildare Scholarship is March 31. Visit the Chahta Foundation website for complete guidelines. For information, contact Chahta Foundation Scholarship Director Scott Wesley, (580) 642-8299.