We are so proud of our past scholarship winners, please go to our scholarship page to apply.
2025 Scholarship Winner: Jamal Uddin
Kids these days! Do you view that statement as positive or negative? I often hear older people talk negatively about kids today, but in my experience, that phrase should be used to admire and recognize the amazing kids today.
I recently read 53 essays from scholarship applicants to the Ramsay Law Firm. There were so many well written essays, talking from the heart about the importance of strength, resilience and family. Many had their childhood shattered when a parent became disabled. Brain cancer, blood clots, IED explosions, ankle fusions, suicide, motorcycle accidents, fractured hips, work injuries and car wrecks—these families struggled.
But, each applicant had a similar theme—They rose up to meet the challenge. They showed up every day and did their best. They saw their family fight through hard times and learned how they could do the same, and it motivated them to help others. Over and over, the applicants talked about how they wanted to give back using their unique skills, creating access to web-based education, training to be a physical therapist, physicians’ assistant or doctor, opening a nail salon, improving access to mental health services, training to become an attorney. Future librarians, engineers, fashion designers, architects, teachers, business owners, and others driven by hope for tomorrow and love for community.
The 2025 Ramsay Law Firm Scholarship winner is Jamal Ubbin. He is attending East Carolina University for education and WGU for information technology. His compelling story is best told in his own words:
Overcoming Hardship: My Journey Toward a Master’s Degree in Information Technology
“My name is Jamal Uddin, and I am pursuing a Master’s degree in Information Technology at WGU and completing my Teacher Certification at ECU to help promote education and craft innovative learning experiences as an instructional designer. My decision is deeply intertwined with my personal history, particularly the challenges my family faced after my father’s neck injury led to a prolonged workers’ compensation case and subsequent homelessness.
From a young age, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. Although in the neighborhood I grew up in could be considered upper-class, in my house resources were scarce, and opportunities for learning were limited. Recognizing the vital role that education plays in breaking cycles of hardship, I made it my mission to contribute meaningfully to educational advancement. A Master’s degree in Information Technology represents not only a professional milestone, but also a personal commitment to creating accessible, engaging, and effective learning tools that empower individuals from all walks of life.
The turning point in my life came while I was in the middle of my last year of middle school, My father sustained a serious neck injury while on the job, which compounded by a delayed workers’ compensation claim, plunged our family into financial instability and eventually homelessness. This period was not just a trial of our economic resources, but also a rigorous test of our resilience and unity as a family. I observed how bureaucratic delays and systemic inefficiencies could devastate lives, and these experiences left an indelible mark on my perspective. Instead of succumbing to despair, I would eventually find a renewed determination to drive change, particularly within the realm of education, so that others might not endure similar hardships.
The impact of my father’s injury instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility and a desire to improve systems in ways that can support and uplift the vulnerable. I believe that technology, when applied thoughtfully, has the power to reshape education by making it more inclusive, efficient, and responsive to everyone’s needs. With advancements in digital tools, instructional design can bridge gaps between traditional educational methods and the ever-growing demands of the modern workforce.
As I transition into a career as an instructional designer, my goal is to harness the transformative potential of technology to address educational disparities. I aspire to develop curricula and educational frameworks that not only convey knowledge but also foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Moreover, I am driven by the conviction that education is the cornerstone of community transformation. In my future role, I plan to collaborate with educators and policymakers to implement solutions that can alleviate the adverse effects of systemic delays and inefficiencies, issues that once disrupted my own family’s stability.
My passion for education is, therefore, both a professional journey and a personal mission. It is a commitment to leveraging technology for educational innovation, designed to empower learners and create resilient communities. I am determined to turn personal adversity into a force for positive change, ensuring that future generations have access to the tools and opportunities needed to thrive.
In conclusion, my experiences have taught me that the challenges we face can serve as powerful catalysts for change. By embracing education and technology, I aim to transform obstacles into opportunities, creating a brighter, more inclusive future.”
Congratulations to Jamal! If you know of someone that is in or planning on enrolling in college this year, please feel free to share our Scholarship Application to be awarded next June, 2026! https://www.ramsaylawfirm.com/scholarship-application
2024 Scholarship Winner: Faith Bridgers
It was hard to select our scholarship winner this year. The number of applicants increased significantly, and the quality of the candidates and their essays was impressive. Thanks to Lizzy Beall for helping to read and rank our essays. But one candidate stood out- Faith Bridgers from Lucama, North Carolina. She impressed us with her fighting spirit and her plans to go into physical therapy via kinesiology- the study of human movement- after witnessing her mom’s need for physical therapy for a lower leg injury. Getting people back on their feet is also a goal here at the Ramsay Law Firm. We fight for medical treatment for a physical recovery and proper compensation for a financial recovery after injuries.
Congratulations Faith! We look forward to seeing you taking care of injured people in the future.
2023 Scholarship Winner: Catherine Blount
