Colonial Dames of Seventeenth Century create scholarship
November 20, 2006
KOKOMO, Ind.—Jane W. Pyle of Kokomo loved American history. She visited the home of every U.S. President who served in her lifetime and enjoyed presenting lectures about those homes and their residents, as well as about local structures of historic significance.
Now, her enthusiasm for sharing the nation’s past will be carried on by Indiana University Kokomo students who receive a new scholarship, established in Mrs. Pyle’s memory by the Coert Van Voorhees Chapter of Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century. J. Barrett Bates-Mullett of Kokomo received the first Coert Van Voorhees Chapter, Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century Scholarship this fall.
Jane Pyle was a longtime member of the Kokomo-based chapter and the national society, both of which are dedicated to preserving American historical sites and records and promoting learning about early U.S. history. Mrs. Pyle’s daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Jane “Sally” Pyle Bratton and Dr. Robert Bratton of Carmel, conceived the idea of the memorial scholarship and provided seed money for it to the Coert Van Voorhees Chapter. Sally Bratton also joined the Colonial Dames as her mother’s legacy.
“My mother was always interested in American history and genealogy,” said Mrs. Bratton on October 26 when Colonial Dames members met scholarship winner Bates-Mullett on campus. The new scholarship is offered to history and history/political science majors at IU Kokomo, who have demonstrated active interest in the history of the United States, Mrs. Bratton explained. “There’s great concern that many of today’s students are not learning much history or geography,” she said.
“Barrett is a good example of the type of students we want to receive this scholarship,” Mrs. Bratton added. Bates-Mullett earned a B.A. in History/Political Science through IU Kokomo in May 2006 and is completing post-baccalaureate courses through the Division of Education to earn Indiana teacher licensure.
“This scholarship has provided me the assistance I needed to continue my education toward teaching social studies at the secondary level,” Bates-Mullett said. Receiving the scholarship gave him “a sense of responsibility to work even harder to achieve a successful outcome that reflects credit on the donors,” he added. “My deepest thanks to the Colonial Dames for their contribution.”
The Brattons are both alumni of IU Bloomington. Mrs. Bratton holds a B.A. in Speech and Theatre, a teaching certificate, and an M.S. in Library Science. Dr. Bratton earned his undergraduate degree in teaching, and later completed his D.D.S. through the IU School of Dentistry.
“We like having the scholarship here at the Kokomo campus, supporting local students,” Mrs. Bratton said.
For information on the Coert Van Voorhees Chapter of Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century Scholarship or to learn about supporting IU Kokomo students through scholarship donations, contact Vice Chancellor for External Relations Paul Nowak, C.R.F.E., at pnowak@iuk.edu or (765) 455-9485.
