Jacksonville, AL – Jacksonville State University announced that two major gifts honoring the legacy of educator Dr. Beverly Ann Lorren will support the future of teacher preparation and educational leadership within the university’s College of Education and Professional Studies.
Approved by the Jax State Board of Trustees on April 14, the university’s Department of Teacher Education will be renamed The Dr. Beverly Ann Lorren Department of Teacher Education following an irrevocable endowed commitment of more than $1 million through the Dr. Beverly Ann Lorren Charitable Trust.
The Board also approved the creation of The Dr. Beverly Ann Lorren Instructional Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will provide financial assistance to graduate students pursuing a Master of Science in Education in Instructional Leadership (P–12).
University officials said the gifts reflect Dr. Lorren’s lifelong dedication to education and honor the legacy of her parents, Robert and Ann Lorren, both alumni of Jax State who worked in the field of education.
Dr. Lorren, who died on March 6, 2025, was born in Anniston and raised in Jacksonville. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College and later completed a doctorate in educational leadership from University of Florida.
Throughout her career, she worked as a teacher, principal, grant writer, and researcher in the Duval County Public School System in Jacksonville, Florida. She also taught graduate students in educational leadership at the University of North Florida.
Prior to her passing, Dr. Lorren established an endowed scholarship in 2022 supporting students majoring in Elementary Education or Special Education in memory of her parents, who met while attending Jax State.
“This extraordinary gift ensures that Jax State will continue preparing highly effective educators for generations to come,” said Dr. Christie Shelton, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. “By investing in both the Department of Teacher Education and in graduate students pursuing instructional leadership, Dr. Lorren’s legacy directly strengthens the quality of education in our schools and communities. It is a meaningful tribute to her lifelong commitment to teaching.”
University leaders said the naming of the Department of Teacher Education places Dr. Lorren’s legacy within one of the university’s core academic areas, which prepares graduates who go on to teach in classrooms across Alabama and beyond.
“Dr. Lorren’s generous gift ensures her legacy is permanently woven into the heart of one of our most impactful programs—Instructional Leadership,” said Dr. Kimberly S. Gaiters-White, Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies. “Through the endowed scholarship, graduate students will be empowered to step into instructional leadership roles with confidence and purpose. This investment not only honors her life’s work but also strengthens the pipeline of visionary leaders who will shape the future of education for generations to come.”
According to the university, the scholarship fund will prioritize students with demonstrated financial need who are pursuing advanced degrees in instructional leadership.
Dr. Lorren also named the Jacksonville State University Foundation as a beneficiary of her charitable trust, ensuring ongoing support for the university beyond her lifetime.
University officials said the gifts represent both recognition of Jax State’s teacher education programs and a continued investment in preparing future educators and school leaders.
