Raleigh and Edith Burchfield gave a lifetime of service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Both were teachers, and for several years, Elder Burchfield worked in various treasury departments for the Church. In retirement, he worked unceasingly for Southwestern, including service as Alumni Association President and as a guiding force behind the book, "Lest We Forget." Edith Burchfield died in 1994, and Raleigh died in 1998.
The Burchfields had a special interest in the history of the school. A member of the class of 1925, Raleigh Burchfield moved to Keene in 1918 when a flu epidemic forced his family to leave California. Without hesitation, he said that the most important thing he got from his education in Keene was his lovely wife.

Edith Truitt Burchfield was a member of the class of 1927. Her roots in Keene go back to her grandfather, W.S. Greer, who was president of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in 1892. It was he who transacted the purchase of 800 acres in Johnson County on which the college was built. "I remember how it was for me," said Edith, "I know there are lots of kids out there with good minds and no resources who would like to study. Someone gave to help me, and I want to give so that young people coming to school now can have that same blessing."

After more than 60 years of supporting Christian education, Raleigh and Edith Burchfield established this scholarship in the fall of 1986. Students receiving the scholarship are designated "Burchfield Scholars."

Scholarship Award Requirements

Students are selected for this scholarship award based on financial need and/or scholastic achievement. The same student may be eligible for the scholarship for up to four years.

2025 - 2026 Scholarship Recipients

Dorine Ngara, Nursing
Selena Ventura, Marketing
Malcom Nieves Mateo, Biology
Martha Sanchez, Nursing