FIRST COMMUNITY MORTGAGE AND MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCE INAUGURAL ANDREW C. RAMBO MBA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Michelle Rathbun is the inaugural recipient of the Andrew C. Rambo Scholarship according to an announcement made recently by Keith Canter, CEO of First Community Mortgage (FCM) and David Urban, Ph.D., Dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
The Andrew C. Rambo Memorial Scholarship – funded by FCM employees – is awarded to an MTSU MBA student in the accelerated cohort program of the Flex MBA. The scholarship is for a 12-month period, during which the recipient is expected to finish their MBA program. The recipient must be a Tennessee resident, have an undergraduate degree from MTSU, and be admitted into the MBA program.
“It is an exceptional honor to see this scholarship awarded to such a deserving student,” said Canter. “Michelle is an outstanding student with a refreshing thirst for learning. A passion for learning is something for which my friend Andy Rambo was known and he would be glad to see her receive this scholarship.”
Rathbun, of Christiana, Tennessee, is a marketing major. She will be graduating from MTSU in August with a 4.0 GPA and a Bachelor’s Degree. The scholarship allows her to continue – and complete – her MBA program in twelve months.
“Receiving any scholarship is appreciated, of course,” said Rathbun. “Receiving this particular scholarship is especially meaningful because it is the first one awarded, and it has so much meaning behind it. The memory of Mr. Rambo and the support of all the FCM employees are added motivation for me to represent them well as I pursue this degree. I am deeply grateful.”
“MTSU is very pleased to join the celebration of this announcement,” said Urban. “We appreciate the support for the education we provide through the Jennings A. Jones College of Business. The fact that this scholarship is funded by the people of this community who are employed by a major, successful firm located here makes it even that much better.”
Rambo passed away in April of 2016. He was a Shelbyville, TN native, who became the Chairman of the Board at First Community Bank, and a member of the board of directors at First Community Mortgage. His pathway lead him from Shelbyville to Memphis where he graduated from both Memphis State University and Memphis State Law College. He later received his MBA from Belmont University. Rambo practiced law for 42 years in his hometown of Shelbyville, where he also served as Mayor from 1979 to 1983 and as City Attorney from 1983-1989. Shortly thereafter he became involved in what we now know as First Community Bank and First Community Mortgage.
“Andy lived in such a way that it was evident he knew how to have fun – and that he cared about people,” said Canter. “This past year FCM started a non-profit organization called FCM Cares. That initiative was inspired, in part, by the leadership Andy provided. As a result, FCM is able to help our local communities by giving back in ways like this scholarship. We want to serve people. We strive in helping families purchase their forever homes. We are simply humans helping humans, something we know Andy would be proud of because that is how he lived.”
