Donor Spotlight: Dr. Paul Erwin and the Robertson-Clardy Memorial Scholarship
In the quiet corners of Wadley, Alabama, family roots anchor people to the land they call home. Memories, rich in history and emotion, continue to weave a thread of connection between the past and present. For Dr. Paul Erwin, a professor at UAB and a respected public health expert, the connection to his family’s history in this small town runs deep. “Wadley has always been a part of my life,” Dr. Erwin reflects.
Dr. Erwin’s decision to give back to the community that shaped his family’s legacy is rooted in honoring his mother, Mildred Robertson Erwin, and her love for her maternal grandfather, Joe Brown Clardy. In tribute to their memory, Dr. Erwin and his wife, Dr. Renee Hyatt, established the Robertson-Clardy Memorial Scholarship, administered through the Southern Union Foundation. The scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior from Wadley High School, providing an opportunity for local students to pursue higher education and create their own legacies.
Mildred was the sixth child of Darson Cleveland Robertson and Peachie Jane Clardy and was only four when her mother died in childbirth. When Mildred was a teenager, she came to live with her grandfather, Joe Brown Clardy, and his wife, Emmar Walker, in the Almond community just outside of Wadley. During her years there, Mildred attended Wadley High School. She formed some of her most cherished memories in her grandfather’s home.
Mildred carried this love for her roots with her throughout her life. Even after moving to Albertville and raising six children, she returned to her grandfather’s home in Almond as often as possible. Her connection to the land and its history remained a constant thread woven into her family’s life. “I still look forward to coming back to Almond every year for ‘Decoration Day’ and being able to see family and friends in the area,” Dr. Erwin shares, highlighting the enduring bonds that keep the family’s legacy alive.
Dr. Erwin chose to create a scholarship because he believes that “education is a powerful tool.” He sees it as a gateway to informed thinking, a tool that exposes individuals to new perspectives, places, and experiences. For Dr. Erwin, supporting students at Southern Union represents a chance to offer young people in the area the opportunity to build on their own dreams and ambitions, much like his own family did.
While Mildred did not graduate from high school, she valued education deeply and instilled that same love of learning in her children. She pursued her own education in her 80s, earning her GED and taking classes at Snead State Junior College in Boaz, Alabama, in the 1980s. Her example of resilience and determination continues to inspire her children and grandchildren to embrace the pursuit of knowledge.
Giving back has had a profound impact on Dr. Erwin, shifting his perspective on generosity and community. “I didn’t get to where I am today by myself, and I am fortunate to be able to give back to honor my mother and the Clardy name,” he says, emphasizing the importance of creating a cycle of giving that can uplift future generations.
For Dr. Erwin, the Robertson-Clardy Memorial Scholarship is more than just a financial contribution—it is a testament to the values of education, community, and family that shaped him and his ancestors. His hope is that through this scholarship, others will be empowered to honor their own legacies and continue the cycle of generosity that makes communities stronger.
As Dr. Erwin so aptly puts it, “Everyone has the capacity to give back to their community, whether through serving, volunteering, or contributing in other ways.” It is this spirit of giving that sustains the bonds of family and community, ensuring that the stories of past generations continue to inspire those who come after them.