Carter Peterson McMillan Foundation
Impact Stories of the Difference we make
Here, we share the stories of some of those whom our family has had the pleasure of meeting and helping them to fulfill their educational dreams. We’ve reached out to people from present day and back to when my grandparents first started the nursing home business. It’s our hope that you will be inspired by their stories, feel compelled to join us in the journey of helping students complete their goals, and encouraged to achieve your own goals!
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth millions! In November 2023, we asked the students, present and past recipients alike, to send in a “thank you” to share with our donors. It is wonderful to see their faces, their personalities, and hear the gratitude in their voices. Please see the fruit of the sacrifice your donation makes!
Please read about the impact Bessie and Espie Carter had on a student of the 1960s, Timothy McDonald, now Dr. Timothy McDonald. He shares his personal story of the impact they had on his life as a young college student. He credits the Carters as being a part of his educational journey and you can read his story in this blog post.
Nazrana Khan ~ Zimbabwe
I am from Zimbabwe and am the third child of six children. Choosing Christ and renouncing Islam meant losing my father’s financial support; this brought financial, emotional, and physical constraints into my life. I thank God for the hardships, such as sleeping on the floor and having no food to eat, because these trying times taught me to rely on God fully. I thank my father, too, for doing his best to accommodate me and my religious beliefs. I know he did the best he could by supporting me.
God worked out a miracle for me and sponsored me to study at Hartland College in Rapidan, Virginia. There I studied Health Ministry but was unable to clear my financial bill before pursuing my Master’s degree in Social Work at Andrews University. I would like to personally thank you and the board for approving this payment toward my school bill. I took some time to respond because I am filled with awe and humbled. May God richly bless you. You have helped me tremendously. I know that Ms. Wanda will have many stars on her crown in heaven for the blessing of what she has done for many people in need. Thank you for carrying on her legacy. I am praying one day to be able to do the same.
Alaya Williams ~ Bahamas/Bermuda
“It takes a village” is a well-known phrase that is often employed during the earlier stages of child rearing. From the terrible twos straight up to the even more terrible teens, people know parents need help. But the Carter Peterson McMillan Foundation is a prime example of how the village is still needed after a child can tie their own shoes, and no longer needs help with homework. The village can continue uplifting when the child has become a young adult with a dream that can require a joint effort to be obtained.
I came to Oakwood University as a Junior Biology major, transferring from a university in Puerto Rico. While becoming bilingual was a goal, financial consideration played a significant role as well. Tuition in Puerto Rico was significantly lower than that of Oakwood University and I quickly became very aware that to complete my studies I would need additional help. When 70% financial clearance was required to keep all my classes from dropping, and eventually 100% financial clearance was required to walk in my graduation, there were times when the finances just were not there. This was where the Carter Peterson McMillan Foundation became a part of my village.
Education should be a right, and some level of formal and informal education is a necessity. But education is also a privilege and many people who deeply desire the ability to continue, or even start, their schooling are unable to do so due to lack of resources. This foundation has been so instrumental in the journey of myself and so many students who needed their support to achieve their dreams and goals because they did not have the resources. This foundation not only provides financial assistance, but they have created a community to support the continuation and encouragement of academic excellence and for this I will forever be grateful.
Matthew Dye ~ Virginia
I received the financial assistance awarded to me this morning and am in the position to graduate from Oakwood University 2023. I must emphasize the expedited delivery in which this aid was sent and received and my inexpressible gratitude for your priceless contribution to my formal education.
Not only has your funding helped me financially, but it has also given me a great sense of motivation and encouragement. Your generosity has inspired me to work harder and achieve my academic aspirations. I plan on using your monetary investment in my personal education to further the work of God and fulfill His plan for my life.
I feel confident that I am being led in the right direction because of instances of closed doors opening in my life such as this. This is only one of many examples where in the face of opposition, God has provided a way of success for those who trust in Him. We are told in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” I am a firm believer in this text, and it is moments like this that give me the proof.
Once again, thank you for investing in my education and for helping me achieve my dreams. I hope to make you proud of my accomplishments in the future.
Elimercy Chimwamchere ~ Malawi
I am honored to be a recipient of the Carter Peterson McMillan Foundation Scholarship. Your generous contribution allowed me to obtain my bachelor of science degree from Oakwood University in the General Studies program with an Allied Health concertation. After graduation May 2023, I plan to gain some field work experience then go to graduate school to pursue my master’s in health administration.
Obtaining my education and a college degree is important to me and my family because we come from a country with a broken healthcare system. Becoming a health administrator will help me gain knowledge of how to improve the healthcare system in my country. Obtaining this college degree has been very challenging with being an international student and having a father who is in graduate school, it has not been easy financially. My freshman year, spring 2019, I was asked to leave the USA due to an error that was made. It was the biggest challenge my family and I had to face because I went back home to my country with my family still being in the United States not knowing if I would be able to come back and finish my degree. God worked it out and I am here today as a 2023 GRADUATE!!!
Itzel Huerta Mazariegos ~ Mexico
I am Itzel Huerta Mazariegos, an international student from Mexico at Oakwood University. I am the youngest of two daughters and was raised in a loving and supportive family environment.
My journey in the U.S. starts back in 2016 when at the age of 14, I enrolled in an Adventist academy far from home since my parents live in Mexico. At first, I was coming to the U.S. to study for only one year and then return home since school was expensive for my family to pay. However, God helped me to finish high school in 3 years in the U.S., and after that I started to look for a university. My parents and I wanted me to study in an Adventist institution therefore, I visited Oakwood University and was warmly welcomed by the community, which made me feel at home and ultimately influenced my decision to attend Oakwood University.
During my four years at Oakwood, I have faced many challenges as an international student, but with God’s grace, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Allied Health with a concentration in Pre-Physician Assistant, Cum Laude with a 3.61 GPA. Furthermore, I am excited to continue pursuing a master’s in Physician Assistant and using my education to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Throughout my time at Oakwood, I have felt God’s presence and love, which has been a constant source of strength and inspiration. I am grateful for the support and encouragement of my family, friends, and the Oakwood community, who have played an integral role in my academic journey. Thank you too, to the CPM Foundation for assisting me over the last financial hurdle so I could receive my diploma.
Ayitey Aryee ~ Illinois
Dear Carter Peterson McMillan Foundation Inc. Donors
My name is Ayitey Aryee and I am a graduating Senior majoring in Communications with a concentration in Film and Television Production from Oakwood University. My minor is Music: Recording Arts. I would like to express my extreme gratitude to this organization for its generosity and for stepping in – time and time again – to help graduates financially clear.
I started my college journey here in 2015 and the experience was rocky from the start. I couldn’t seem to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I eventually settled on English Professional Writing as a major but although I did enjoy writing, my growing lack of passion in this area as well as others, caused me to ‘drop out’ with no intentions of coming back. But, thank God I listened to Him when He made coming back to school my best option about a year and a half later.
Since coming back in the 2019-2020 school year, I have found true passion and have learned so many valuable lessons along the way. Although my relationship with my Alma Mater may have been complex at times, I am certain that I wouldn’t have gone any other way if given the opportunity. I am standing extremely close to something that has been a long time coming and I appreciate every hand that has and that will lead and extend grace and aid.
Mphatso Khuzwayo ~ South Africa, now Georgia
As a child, my Gogo (grandma in Zulu) would tell me “God will never leave me nor forsake me.” This was before I could even read and learned that it was an actual Bible verse. This has proven to be true time and time again. The CMP Foundation has been a great blessing to the promises God has put on my life. The only thing that was keeping me from tapping into my destiny was an unpaid tuition bill – I was the Secretary for the Oakwood University Class of 2017 and really wanted to march with my classmates. Thankfully, the CMP Foundation stepped in and did what I could not; thank you God! From there, I became a nurse and now I have built a brand, Zulu Nurse Academy, that helps nursing students thrive through their nursing program. You can find me on Instagram @zulunurse, where I mentor future nursing students. This is the embodiment of “paying it forward.” Without the CMP Foundation I would not have been able to accomplish the mission God has set before me, nor change the lives of others. I am extremely grateful!
Sara Turner ~ Alabama
The Cater Peterson McMillan Foundation was an intricate part in assisting me to graduate college. I am the first in my family to finish all four years of a secondary education and this journey was not easy – during my internship, I became very ill with Covid-19 and lost my grandmother who was my sole supporter. Even in spite of the setbacks I encountered, my internship offered me a full-time position! I grew to love God, see the plan He had for my life and how He allowed me to make an impact in my community and be an inspiration to my family. This milestone would not have been possible without the commitment and generosity from The Carter Peterson McMillan Foundation. Thank you and may God continue to pour into this foundation as you all pour into others like myself.
Angela Adams ~ Oklahoma
The CPM Foundation was truly a miracle and blessing from God. I believed that God wanted me to go to nursing school and that He would provide but I was challenged after the school allowed me to take two classes and told me that I would not be able to attend the next class if a certain amount was not paid by the 13th of January 2023 with classes starting on Monday, January 15th. I had spoken to a beloved sister at church about my situation as she also was in the same predicament concerning her schooling needs as she asked the congregation to pray for her. Seeking to encourage her, I said, “If it is our Father’s will He would help us.” The next day she emailed me information about the organization and said they might be able to help me. I figured it would not hurt to apply and left the matter in God’s hands. The organization responded so quickly with an approval to assist me that my husband and I were amazed. The Lord, through CPM Foundation, was able to get me in the class with no problem. I am so thankful for their help in seeking to reach my goal of becoming a nurse and their willingness to help a total stranger. Blessings to their family and ministry.
Erin Smith ~ Georgia
The Carter Peterson McMillan Foundation helped me financially clear so I could walk across the stage for my 2021 graduation service. Funding my education has been hard, especially as a twin, but God always made a way. Mrs. McMillan exemplified Jesus and checked in with me the entire time. It was reassuring to have her during this stressful but exciting time. I’m so thankful to this foundation for helping me; now I can go on to pursue my Juris Doctor degree and help others.
Jocelyn Reid Bethea ~ Maryland
Stephanie is keeping the legacy of her mother, Wanda Carter, alive through her financial support of Christian education. When I lost my job, we didn’t know how we would raise funds to put our son Avery in the Seventh-day Adventist academy in our area. I reached out to my family members to see what assistance they could help us with. Stephanie reached out to me twice with a significant amount to help us get him in school. It’s because of her giving that he was able to graduate high school and he has gone on to graduate from Oakwood University, class of 2020, with a BS in Business. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Digital Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University.
I too graduated from Oakwood in 1988 with a BS in Elementary Education. Wanda would give me money from time to time to help out with items needed for dorm life on campus. I am currently the First Grade Teacher at Takoma Academy Preparatory School and have been teaching for 33 years.
We are forever grateful for their support.
Alverda Stepney and Family ~ Ohio
I and my family have had support from the Carter, McMillan and Peterson families for three generations.
Mr. and Mrs. Carter, who I called Uncle Espie and Aunt Bessie, gave me food and supplies when I was at Oakwood Academy from 1955-1959. Wanda was like a sister to me and we remained best friends for life. She assisted my children, Toi (Oakwood), Todd (Pine Forge Academy – PFA), and Tyson (Oakwood) during their high school and college matriculation. Toi’s son, Brian was assisted by Stephanie at Oakwood.
Now, Tyson’s children, Camille, class of 2021, and Christian, class of 2023, have been greatly assisted at PFA by the McMillans and Petersons. We believe, if not for their support, the children could not have received their Christian education. Camille is planning to attend Oakwood University and live in the freshman dormitory, Bessie Carter Hall.
The generosity of the family has been great, but above all, what makes their giving so wonderful is the loving support and caring they extend. It’s their concern and support for your well being as they encourage you to do well and are interested in all your accomplishments along the way.
I personally thank God for everything they do. God bless them all.
UPDATE: Upon Camille’s graduation from Pine Forge Academy, she was awarded a $50,000 scholarship to Oakwood Univerisity!
Edna Truneh Bachmann ~ California
I was introduced to Ms. Wanda Carter by my sister Wayneab who was attending Oberlin College in the mid-80s. My sister met Wanda at the Oberlin SDA church where she had found a home as a new immigrant from Ethiopia. That church not only gave my sister a home away from home but also introduced her to Wanda and other church members who took a keen interest in her. It was during this time that Wanda learned of my need to find a sponsor to attend Oakwood College (now University). I had received an admission to Oakwood for the fall quarter of 1985. I was living in Ethiopia at the time with my parents and we knew the financial commitment to attend a 4-yr university in the US was beyond our means. Upon hearing this story from my sister, Wanda committed to provide the assistance I needed. This was a direct answer to our prayers! With her financial sponsorship, I was able to soon secure the required student visa from the US Embassy in Ethiopia, arriving at Oakwood College in January, 1986. I am deeply indebted to Wanda and her generous support that made it possible for me to attend and earn my B.Sc. in Business Management from Oakwood in 1990 and go on to earn an MBA in 1994 from Claremont University in California. I am currently working as a Senior Finance Manager at Bank of America.
Wanda’s generosity towards me and my family not only made my dream of higher education in the US a reality but also instilled in me the value of helping others achieve their educational pursuits. For this, I am eternally grateful to God’s help in the form of Ms. Wanda Carter!
The Williams Family ~ Bahamas
The Carter Peterson McMillan Foundation has played a pivotal role in assisting both of our daughters as they matriculate through their post secondary education. Not only has the foundation provided financial support, but its members have also encouraged them to excel in their academic pursuits. We are most grateful for their commitment to the cause of higher education.