Following the 2026 annual Scholarship Night at Covenant Village, Resident Stephanie Parent was inspired to endow an educational scholarship for Covenant Village employees for two reasons.

Growing up in New Orleans and planning to attend Xavier University of Louisiana, Stephanie received an anonymous scholarship that helped defray the expenses of attending college. She never forgot that kindness.

The other reason centers on her marriage to the late Mel Parent, who showed her the joy of generosity through the couple’s giving to many good causes over their 56 years of marriage. 

Both had very successful careers. Mel worked at Celanese in several locations as a leader in the company’s HR Department. Stephanie devoted her professional career to education, serving as an elementary teacher, reading instructor, and assistant principal.

Mel and Stephanie discussed their intent over the years to create a scholarship at Xavier. After Mel’s passing, Stephanie and her two grown children decided to move ahead with founding that scholarship.

In addition, Stephanie made the decision to endow a scholarship at Covenant Village as a tribute to the many employees in the ARISE Health Center who lovingly cared for Mel during the last months of his life – and to continue the foundation of generosity that has been central to the couple’s legacy.

Employees at Covenant Village will be able to apply for this scholarship in the Spring of 2027 as they further their educational and professional careers. 

—Debbie Windley, Windmark Consulting

For more information about making a philanthropic investment in Covenant Village, please contact Covenant Village CEO Dale Melton, Windmark Consulting’s Debbie Windley, or donate online at www.covenantvillagenc.com/giving. Donors to both Covenant Village during the year and also to the Employee Bonus Fund in the fall are recognized as members of the Circle of Giving at a celebratory event in December.