Sister Lorene G. Tucker  Excellence Scholarship

Scroll for 2026 Application Below

Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Reverend Kevin T. Taylor, Pastor
Dennis Holder, President, Lay Organization

Sister Lorene G. Tucker  Excellence Scholarship

Application for 2026

The Lorene G. Tucker Excellence Scholarship was established in June 2023, to recognize Sister Lorene G. Tucker, a phenomenal woman of great character, grace, and faith in God.  She devoted her life to helping young people achieve their hopes and dreams through education. The scholarship was created by past local Lay president Sister Jacqueline Rhodes Geores, who launched a fundraising campaign to support the scholarship.

CRITERIA FOR  AWARDS  

To receive consideration, applicants must:  

  • Be an active participating member of Israel AME Church.
  • Be a graduating high school senior enrolling full time at an accredited two-or four-year college in the Fall or Spring semester. 
  • Answer the following in 500-800 words:   

Sister Lorene G. Tucker has a multitude of great qualities. Applicants must show their   personal qualities beyond academic achievement, which exemplifies the life of                                        Sis. Tucker. Refer to her biography on page 3 for more information about her life and legacy.   

  • Applicants must submit supporting letters from at least three of the following:

The pastor of their church

The president of a church organization/auxiliary in which they are an active member.

The leader of the school or community-based organization in which they are an active member.

A high school counselor

A classroom teacher or professor

A member of their church

A mentor

  • Submit a Letter of Acceptance from the Institution or College you plan to attend. Incomplete applications will not be considered.   

SELECTION PROCESS:

Selection is based on the strength of the application including their essay.  The committee                                                         will use the Frank Cummings Lay Scholarship Rubric to rate and score the completed application submission. The applications will be reviewed and rated by an external review committee.

                                                  AWARD DETAILS:

  • Annual Deadline: Completed applications must be submitted by April 25, 2026.
  • Annual Award Notifications: will be made by October 1, 2026 via email  or U.S. Mail.
  • Renewable Awards: Renewal awards are designed to help students stay on track for degree attainment. Students can receive the award for up to six academic years. Renewal awards range from $500-$1,000 per academic year with attainment of academic criteria.
  • Receipt of Awards: Awards are given directly to the student following proof of acceptance and enrollment at the institution. Checks will be mailed directly to recipients no later than October 30.

The Biography of Sister Lorene G. Tucker

                                                                                                                                                          This Excellence Scholarship is named for Sis. Lorene Tucker, a phenomenal woman of great character, grace, and faith in God. Sis. Tucker joined Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church when she moved to Albany, NY, from Tennessee, in 1958. Despite being widowed, Sis. Tucker worked extremely hard to raise her three children and keep them involved in church and performing well in school. She excelled at her job with the phone company where she was known for her keen attention to detail.

At Israel, she served in many capacities including as a Trustee who cared for the church’s property and as Church Secretary/Clerk who took copious notes and minutes documenting the business and financial affairs of the church.

Given her love of history, she also served as Church Historian researching and documenting the Israel’s role as station on the Underground Railroad, a network of people and places offering shelter and aid to enslaved people from the South, and its valuable contributions to the communities in the Capital Region.

Sis. Tucker was a devoted Sunday School teacher for more than 20 years. She helped young people improve their Bible knowledge,  their spiritual growth; and feeling a sense of love and belonging, She provided opportunities for them to serve their Church and community.  Mrs. Tucker also believes that Sunday School is the organization where she “did the most good, by helping young people achieve their hopes and dreams.”

Sis. Tucker also held two other prominent positions in the church as President and Advisor of the Lay Organization for many years. She joined the organized laity of Israel because she “was interested in its mission of teaching and training” for members of the church. Likewise, she taught the New Members’ Class for 30 +years, and parishioners on how to be servant leaders in the church.  Sis. Tucker always strived for excellence in all of her endeavors and wants to be remembered as “a teacher” of the history of the A.M.E Church.


If you have questions, please email the Scholarship Committee.  

LoreneTuckerScholarship@gmail.com

The Scholarship Committee Members are:

Sister Carolyn Williams, Chair

Sister Jacqueline Geores

Sister Mitzi Stewart

Sister Sharon Holder