Loomis, Rose and Ruth Peebles Endowment

Criteria

African American Wake or Durham County graduating high school seniors with financial need who have overcome adversity. The student selected must be attending NC State University; the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Asheville, Wilmington, Charlotte, or Pembroke; East Carolina University, Davidson, Elon, or Duke University.

About Loomis, Rose and Ruth Peebles

Loomis and Rose Peebles dedicated their lives to educating young people and serving their community. In addition to being teachers, Loomis and Rose were committed philanthropists, giving both their time and finances.

Their daughter, Ruth Peebles, established this scholarship in 2019 in memory of her parents. Ruth hopes to make strategic investments in the education of young people, specifically African American first-generation students, to help position them to become productive community leaders.

“As a young girl, I remember my parents making financial donations to support local nonprofits with missions they were most passionate about. I also saw how active they were in our community,” says Ruth. Loomis was involved in Junior Achievement, and Rose volunteered with the Literacy Council and Habitat for Humanity.

“I grew up understanding the importance of giving to others in need,” says Ruth. “I’ve always felt that the best way to express gratitude for the love, support and guidance that my parents so freely gave me was through philanthropy.”

Higher education allows students to have the freedom to pursue a career that interests and inspires them, says Ruth. “It is incredibly rewarding to know that this scholarship helps to remove financial barriers and allows students to turn their higher education into a lifetime of opportunity.”