Honoring a Legacy of Leadership

When the Oklahoma City Community Foundation assumed the role of coordinating donations for victims of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995, President Nancy Anthony knew she had to bring in expert help to oversee the survivors’ long-term needs.

A veteran of social service organizations, Anna-Faye Rose had been involved with the Community Foundation since the late 1970s. Like so many community volunteers, she did not hesitate to help in the aftermath of the bombing as she stepped in to spearhead the Survivors’ Education Fund.

Her experience proved invaluable as the Community Foundation launched the Trustee Scholarship Initiative in 1997 to encourage more students in central Oklahoma to attend college. Under Anna-Faye’s leadership, the scholarship program grew from 20 annual awards to more than 800. Following her retirement in 2013, the Trustees established a Community Foundation Scholars award in her name, a $2,000 scholarship that supports a first-generation student.

A perfect match for the scholarship is this year’s recipient, Choctaw High School senior Briza Interiano. Set to be the first person in her family to attend college, Interiano said she is determined to pursue a secondary education.

“I want to graduate with a degree in political science and go to law school,” said Interiano. “But most importantly, it is my goal to give back to others, whether it be in my career or in my community.”