Robert Stone Haywood Scholarship

By Line German

Printed in the Ranger Register, USARA, Winter 2008

   While a Junior at Georgia Tech, a Mississippi lad was called to active duty with his USANG Mississippi Division for Korean War deployment.  Sent to Fort Benning for BCT, PVT Haywood volunteered for Airborne and Ranger training.  He was an original member of the 9^th Airborne Ranger Company, comprised of volunteers from the 31^st Inf “Dixie” Division.

   He never cut his ties to his Ranger Buddies or Ranger associations, and he became President of the Korean War Ranger Assn, (RICA), at one point.  His daughter, Elizabeth recalls how proud he was of his Ranger experiences.  He was also mindful of the hardships Ranger families faced trying to educate their children at the college level.

   When Ranger Haywood left active duty he settled down in the Atlanta area where, in 1972, he made a profitable acquisition, a 24-acre industrial complex, E. Van Winkle Gin and Machine Works.  The area is known locally as Murray Mill from the original Murray Cotton Gin Company.  Over the years the area has been used as movie sets and attracted artists, painters, jewelers, etc with over forty tenants on the property.

As Ranger Haywood’s health was declining the family decided to sell a portion of the land, creating the Haywood Family Foundation. Based on her father’s desires, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul Gillespie decided to establish a scholarship for children of Active Duty and former Rangers, if they could find support from the Ranger community and that is where the ULSARA came in. We promised to provide that support, helping find qualified students and especially to insure applicants were in fact, sons and daughters of Rangers. Why GSU? Paul was the Football Coach and an Alumnus; plus the University was all for it.

2008 is the second year since this great opportunity is open for our children. Our fist two entrants are outstanding. So outstanding, the University told me to spread the word they have other scholarships available from $500 to $5,000 annually and welcome students to apply. Applicants should apply to http://scholarships.georgiasouthen.edu.

Students need a minimum SAT of 1100 or ACT or 24 to qualify unless extenuating circumstances apply. More INFO may be acquired from “Brooks” at BHook@georgiasouthern.edu.

For specific information for applicants seeking the Ranger Haywood Scholarship contact Kevin Chambers at Kcham@georgiasounthern.edu.

GSU is just west of Savannah, nice location, great school. Michelle Pittman, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at GSU said, “It is truly exciting to think of the impact this scholarship is going to have for families who apply….This generous gift from the Haywood Family Foundation is going to make a difference in many (Ranger) students’ lives for generations to come.”

The US Army Ranger Association, speaking for the entire Ranger community, thank you Elizabeth and Paul Gillespie. Than you GSU. And to you, Ranger Bob Haywood, well done, Rangers Lead the Way.