Tom Joyner Foundations Recognizes Students at Rust College
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Posted By: Neil Foote on June 23, 2008 The Tom Joyner Foundation helped Rust College in Holly Springs, MS raise more than $24,000 in May, and provided scholarships to thirteen outstanding students. Tom Joyner, the nationally syndicated media personality who’s ‘Tom Joyner Morning Show’, is aired in more than 115 markets reaching nearly eight million listeners every week, created the Foundation in 1998 to help keep students enrolled in Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). Albany State and its students are benefiting from the more than $55 million the Foundation has raised. Four Rust College students are winners of the Tom Joyner Foundation® and Denny’s Single Parent Scholarship, designed to financially help single parents enrolled in black colleges. The four women were awarded scholarships in May as part of a joint venture between Denny’s and the Foundation that will provide $1,500 grants every week in 2008 to single parents attending HBCUs. The Denny’s Single Parent Student Scholars were: * Christine Harris, a sophomore business administration student, is from Chicago, IL. Ms. Harris, a single mother of a four-year old daughter, is vice president of the Department of Business Students Association and was crowned Miss Phi Beta Lambda. She is also a member of the Baptist Student Union Gospel Choir of Rust College. Upon graduation, she plans to attend law school. * Quintiavia Gaddy, a junior accounting student, is from Chicago, IL. Ms. Gaddy, a single mother of a three-year old son, Quinton, is a member of the Rust College Marching Band and tutors underclassmen in the business department. She has also served as volunteer of the Smart Kids Conference held on the college’s campus. Upon graduation she plans to pursue her master’s degree in accounting and become a certified public accountant. * Roszela Davis, a junior elementary education student, from Greenville, MS. Ms. Davis, a single mother of an eight-month old daughter, D’Shunna, is a member of the Junior Class Council and the Rust College Marching Band. She also tutors students at Holly Spring Primary School. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a Math Teacher. * Ellen Gregory, a senior mass communications/print journalism student, is from Okolona, MS. Ms. Gregory, a single mother of a two- month old son, Elijah Joel, is a staff writer for the Rustonian, Rust College’s newspaper, a member of the yearbook staff and volunteers with the National African American Student Leadership Conference. Upon graduation, she plans to enroll in the United States Coast Guard as an officer in the field of mass communications. According to the United States Census Bureau, the number of single-parent families has steadily increased during the past five years. In 2006, there were more than 2,900,000 single-parent, African American families in the United States. In 2004, the National Center for Education Statistics found that 30% of all students currently enrolled in a degree-granting institution were minorities, a 16% increase in the last 30 years. The single parent scholarship is awarded each week to a single parent attending the Tom Joyner Foundation’s “School of the Month.” This joint partnership is a reflection of Denny’s and the Tom Joyner Foundation’s shared belief that a commitment to higher education is the key to a better workforce and improved conditions for all communities. Denny’s is America’s largest full-service family restaurant chain that is best known for its famous Grand Slam® breakfasts. Four other Rust College students were named Hercules Scholars, each receiving a $2,500 scholarship. The Hercules Scholarship program is named after Joyner’s father, the late Hercules Joyner, who was a strong supporter of higher education. The April winners were: * Braque Talley, a Sturgis, MS, a freshman is studying English. The president of his freshman class plans to become a lawyer. * Solomon Barnes., of Barnesville, GA, a junior majoring in mass communication. The resident hall adviser and American Red Cross volunteer, plans to get a masters degree and write for a major newspaper. * Bobby Owens, of Chicago IL, a freshman majoring in chemistry. The chemistry lab research assistant and volunteer at the Chicago Food Depository plans to pursue his doctorate in pharmacy. * Malcolm Flight, of Starkeville, AL, a freshman studying computer science. The reporter for the campus newspaper and member of the Royal Scholars Honors Society,plans to become a lawyer. John Mbeo, of Memphis, TN, a freshman studying biology and chemistry. The member of the Math and Science Club and tutor for Student Support Services plans to go to medical school to become a doctor. Tom Joyner, a graduate of Tuskegee Institute, said that the scholarships are greatly needed. On average, the black male student enrollment at an HBCU is about 37 percent. To be a candidate for the scholarship, students must attend a Foundation “School of the Month”, have a grade point average of at least 3.0, and be a campus leader involved in the community with a career goal toward making a difference in the quality of life for his race. For information about the scholarship program, students should contact their school administrators. The Foundation also recognized five students as “Tom Joyner Scholars”, who received a $1,500 scholarship. Those winners are: * Laura Franklin, of Byhalia, MS, sophomore studying chemistry. The junior recruiter in the admissions office and member of Delta Sigma Theta plans to get a master’s degree in chemistry. * Katrina Overby, of Indianapolis, IN, junior studying broadcast journalism. The member of the Alpha Kappa Mu National Honors Society plays volleyball, basketball, softball and tennis and plans to pursue a career as a sports reporter. * Crystal Johnson, of Jackson, MS, freshman t studying mathematics. The treasurer of the Freshman Class Council is a member of the Baptist Student Union and plans to get a masters degree in accounting. * Bernadette Christian, of Holly Springs, MS, junior studying social work. The member of the Social Work Association and volunteer of the Families First Resource Center, Helping Hands Outreach and Unity Hospices. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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