Current and future students at Lamar State College-Port Arthur will benefit from a $51,000 gift to the college from First United Methodist Church in the name of late PA resident Mary Skeff Schlesinger and her husband, A.W. Schlesinger, the founder of Schlesinger Geriatrics Center in Beaumont.

Mary Schlesinger died in 1992 at the age of 100. Her will designated that the church use the money to provide scholarships.

FUMC pastor Rev. Christie Hale said the membership of the church recently voted to donate the money to the college.

“The decision to endow the Mary Skeff Schlesinger and A.W. Schlesinger Scholarship Fund received a favorable vote at the church’s annual conference,” Hale said. “We are comfortable knowing that through Lamar State College-Port Arthur, Mrs. Schlesinger’s wishes will be honored in perpetuity.”

First United Methodist Church’s connection with Lamar State College-Port Arthur goes back to the college’s beginning as Port Arthur College. The church originally was located in what now is the Ruby Fuller Building on the college campus.

Schlesinger’s will stipulated that the scholarships should be awarded to Texas residents on the basis of financial need.

LSC-PA President Dr. Sam Monroe said, “We are grateful to First United Methodist Church for endowing this scholarship fund. It will be a fitting tribute to Mary and A.W. Schlesinger, who were great citizens of this community, successful business people and very generous philanthropists during their lifetimes.”

For information about scholarships at Lamar State College-Port Arthur, call Allison Wright at 984-6184.