Scholarships Offered Through Drum Corps International

With years of experience in education as a principal and teacher in Cincinnati and across Ohio, consultant John (JR) Carlisle founded Carlisle Educational Services in 2008. Throughout his career, John R. Carlisle has served as an adjudicator for groups such as Drum Corps International.

A leading organization for student performers and musicians, Drum Corps International has provided competitions for youth across the nation since 1971. The organization also encourages students by providing scholarships for those in the World or Open Class corps, including the following:

The Friends of DCI Scholarship, which supplies $2,000 to two high school seniors or college students.

The Double Beat Percussion Scholarship, which provides $2,500 to a percussionist.

The Drums Along the Mohawk Tour Award, which offers $1,000 to a student residing in New York State.

The Jim Ott Scholarship, which consists of $3,000 for a student graduating from high school, or a college music major.

For additional details about applying for these scholarships, or to learn more about Drum Corps International, visit dci.org/static/scholarships.

Three Prominent Marshall University Alumni Who Played in the NFL

John R. (JR) Carlisle is a South Carolina-based education consultant who previously worked in Cincinnati, where he was a principal and also earned a Greene County Teacher of the Year award. Prior to earning a PhD and master's in educational leadership, John R. Carlisle completed a bachelor's degree program at Marshall University. A fan of college and professional sports, he maintains his allegiance to his alma mater through support of its football team, the Thundering Herd.

Ramey Hunter was the first ever Marshall alumnus to play in the National Football League (NFL) when he made his debut in 1933. Since then, there have been dozens of former Thundering Herd players to compete in the league. Below are three of the most prominent.

1. Randy Moss - Selected 21st overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1998 NFL Draft, Moss is a Hall of Fame wide receiver who played in the NFL from 1998 to 2012, during which time he compiled 15,292 receiving yards and 156 touchdowns. He led the league in touchdowns in five different seasons, including in 2007, when he scored a career-high 23. 

2. Carl Lee - A three-time Pro Bowl defensive back, Lee was selected by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 1983 NFL Draft and spent 11 of his 12 seasons with the franchise. He retired in 1994 with more than 800 tackles and 31 interceptions, two of which were returned for a touchdown. 

3. Chad Pennington - A first-round pick of the New York Jets in the 2000 NFL Draft, Pennington is a two-time Comeback Player of the Year recipient who split his 11-years in the NFL between the Jets and the Dolphins. He retired in 2010 with a career win-loss record of 44-37 to go along with 17,823 passing yards and 102 touchdowns.