‘Scholarship Lot’ Reflection of Support

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Proceeds from the sale of a special lot in Lime Creek, a new subdivision in Chelsea, have been transformed into a scholarship at the University of Montevallo.

The Rodney Davis and Mike Strong Chelsea Scholarship was recently endowed through the sale of a “scholarship lot” in the subdivision. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to a deserving Chelsea student who will enroll at Montevallo.

Mike Strong, a 1972 graduate of Montevallo, and his business partner Rodney Davis, owners of the Chelsea-based Chelsea-One LLC, a land development company, first made a donation in 2005 to the university to create the scholarship; then they gave the proceeds from the sale of the lot in Lime Creek to endow it. As new phases and subdivisions are developed, Strong and Davis plan to continue setting aside lots to benefit the scholarship.

Strong recalls his days at Montevallo fondly but also remembers that, as a student who had to work to earn money to be in school, he had little time to get involved in many of the extracurricular activities on campus. Strong and Davis both grew up in similar circumstances, which fueled their desire to establish this scholarship at Montevallo.

“If a student does have financial aid, they may have the time to explore their studies to the greatest extent and participate in some of the other campus activities that are available instead of having to work all the time,” said Strong.

Prior to getting into land development, Strong owned an advertising agency from which he has retired.

In addition to the scholarship gift given to the university, Strong also donated land for a new fire station in Chelsea.

“Mike Strong is one of the best examples of a Montevallo alumnus that I know,” said Earl Niven, mayor of Chelsea and a 1965 graduate of the University of Montevallo. “Through the scholarship, he shows his love for not only the university but the Chelsea community, as well. This is just a true reflection of his support.”

“Our scholarship at the university is about people helping people. When I look back on my life, I want to be able to say that I helped people, because a lot of people helped me,” Strong said.

Strong met his wife of 33 years, Cathy, while he was a student at Montevallo. They have two sons, John Paul and Donald. John Paul graduated from Montevallo in 2002 with a degree in communication studies and now works for his father.

For scholarship criteria information, interested persons may contact Maria Parker, Montevallo’s director of student financial aid, at 205-665-6050.

(picture caption)
Land developer Mike Strong (left) and his business partner Rodney Davis, owners of Chelsea-One LLC, stand by a sign designating a piece of property as the “University of Montevallo Scholarship Lot.” Strong and Davis donated proceeds from the sale of the lot in Lime Creek, their new subdivision in Chelsea, to endow a scholarship at Montevallo.

Posted Feb 15, 2007
Submitted by Marsha Littleton
Public Relations Department
University of Montevallo


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