Giving Matters: Community Foundation announces first recipients of new Nocks Scholarship

Greenville students Zionnah Henry and Andrea Gonzalez-Martinez will receive the inaugural awards from the Barry and Elaine Nocks Scholarship Fund.

Henry, a political science major who will graduate from Columbia College in 2026, said being chosen for the scholarship was meaningful to her, even beyond its financial value.

“I’m incredibly thankful for the support, which is helping me further my education and pursue my goals,” she said. “With one of my parents being a first-generation immigrant and the other a second-generation immigrant, I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices made to provide a better future for me and my younger siblings. This scholarship is a reminder that those sacrifices — and my hard work — are being recognized and valued.”

Gonzalez-Martinez, who is studying language and international health at Clemson University, also expressed gratitude.

“This scholarship means a lot to me. It’s like sunshine after a storm,” she said. “It will enable me to pursue my educational goals and make a real difference.”

Providing opportunities for students who aspire to create positive change was exactly what the Nocks family hoped to do with the awards.

“We wanted to help young people who have a goal and vision of where they want to be,” said Barry Nocks, professor emeritus of city and regional planning at Clemson University. “They were impressive, having overcome a great deal, and had a clear idea of what they wanted to achieve to make a difference.”

In his career as an educator and regional planner, Nocks focused on improving cities and enhancing quality of life for people. He encouraged his students to do the same in their communities.

Elaine Nocks was a professor of psychology for 35 years at Furman University. After obtaining a Master of Divinity from Emory’s Candler School of Theology, she founded and directed the Cothran Center for Vocational Reflection at Furman. Helping students fulfill their calling is important to her.

Both were first-generation college graduates, and they designated their scholarship to assist first-generation college students.

“None of our parents got to go to college because they had to work,” Elaine Nocks said. “They worked very hard, and we feel very lucky that we were able to pursue baccalaureate and advanced degrees thanks to their support and encouragement.”

The Nocks Scholarship Fund is one of nine administered by the Community Foundation of Greenville according to guidelines that reflect the priorities of the donors, families and organizations that established them.

“We’ve donated to the Community Foundation for over 20 years,” Elaine Nocks said. “We trust them.”

Barry and Elaine said they hope the validation of receiving the awards encourages Gonzalez-Martinez, Henry and future recipients in their endeavors, as they will become the next generation of leaders.

“College is not for everyone, but we deeply believe in higher education for those who want it,” Elaine Nocks said. “Reading their applications, we were so impressed with what they have overcome and what they want to do with their lives. It gives me a lot of hope as we move toward the future.”