30th Anniversary University Partners

In celebration of our 30th Anniversary publishing year, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine has established a $30,000 scholarship fund for elementary education majors at 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) including Alabama State University, Alcorn State University, Benedict College, Bennett College, Clark Atlanta University, Dillard University, Fayetteville State University, Florida Memorial College, Virginia Union University and Xavier University of Louisiana. Our magazine will donate $1,500 scholarships to one male and female student each at the participating HBCUs, which have been featured in month-long fund-raising campaigns on the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Radio Show.

We are convinced the recruitment of talented and committed African-American college students to pursue teaching careers in elementary education is a critical issue facing educators across the nation. Teacher shortages nationally are growing, and we're pleased to be a part of the solution in addressing this vital issue. In all, 20 deserving students will benefit from our scholarships. We trust this initiative will encourage them to seriously pursue the elementary education teaching profession as a viable career option.

We are pleased some of the participating colleges in our scholarship program have joined us as University Partners by matching each of our $1,500 scholarships with a $1,500 tuition credit. Several of our University Partners, Benedict College, Bennett College, and Alcorn State University, are profiled below along with their recipients of our elementary education major scholarships.

Benedict College

Benedict College, a co-educational institution, had the largest enrollment in the history of the college with 2,452 students during the 1998-99 academic year.  Benedict is the fastest growing HBCU in the country with the largest numerical enrollment gain of the 41 UNCF institutions.  Benedict College has the largest student population among the 13 historically Black colleges in North and South Carolina.  Among the 11 private institutions, Benedict is ranked the second largest undergraduate program.  Through an expanded and flexible curriculum, Benedict students pursue courses of study that will prepare them for the 21st century in business, government, social, and health services, public and private school instruction, civic, cultural, religious, and scientific work.  Money Magazine’s College Guide among the top seven Historically Black American Colleges and Universities has twice named Benedict nationally {as offering} the best value in American education for the money spent.  The college has been recognized by the Knight Foundation for its commitment for high standards of quality in education and a distinguished record of providing educational opportunities to African-American students. Two students who have shown exceptional skill and workmanship in the field of elementary education from Benedict College are Degarrius Cullum and Sherrie Waddell.

Degarrius Cullum, (left) a sophomore, born and raised in Aiken, S.C., is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  Cullum is a member of many organizations, including the school’s marching band, the NAACP, and a leadership program called “Think Tank” that organized and held a voter registration drive to help educate current students about being leaders in today’s society.  Cullum has also received many honors and awards, including being named on the Dean’s List and winning the Marching Band scholarship, an Endowed scholarship, a Life scholarship, and the Tom Joyner scholarship. He states the reason he decided to become an elementary education major was because he likes helping young people grow and develop.  His many future goals include furthering his education at Florida A&M, where he plans to earn his master's in English; and then attend the University of South Carolina, Aiken, to earn his doctorate in education administration.

Sherrie Waddell, (right) a sophomore originally from Birmingham, Alabama, decided to become an elementary education major because children and education have been a big part of her life for many years.  Waddell’s mother is a teacher, and Waddell, herself, has been working in a day care center since she was 15 years old.  “Children are a joy to be around, and I like to facilitate learning in the process (while being around them).”  It was this passion that led her to choose her major so quickly. She is a member of the Honors Program and has been named on both the Dean’s List and the President’s List.  Waddell's future plans are to enroll in graduate school in Georgia for curriculum and instruction, and then enter a Ph.D. program in gifted instruction for grades 3-5. 

Benedict College
1600 Harden Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29204
Phone: (803) 256-4220
URL: http://www.benedict.edu

Bennett College

Founded in 1873 as a coeducational institution and reorganized in 1926 as a college for women, Bennett College is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.  The college offers students 30 majors including chemistry, clothing and fashion merchandising, political science, mass communications and social work.  The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Council of Social Work Education, the American Dietetics Association, and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.  Bennett College offers seven intercollegiate athletics including volleyball, swimming, basketball, softball, and tennis.  Call today and join the ranks of phenomenal Bennett women who have become well-educated professionals, enlightened parents, facilitators of social justice, wise users of technology and persons of high moral standards.Two bright students who rose above and beyond the call of duty at Bennett College are Vivian Bynoe and Keyah White.

Vivian Bynoe, (left) a native of North Carolina, and currently a sophomore, chose elementary education as her major because she feels that, “we need better, and more, African-American teachers out there to be good role models for our children.”  She wants to make a difference in the world of education, and would like to make deep, long-lasting impressions on her students, because she still remembers elementary school teachers she had many years ago who made huge impressions on her. Her many honors include being named on the Honor's List and Dean’s List, and is in her second year of being a Presidential Scholar, in which she must maintain a 3.5 G.P.A. to retain the honor. Bynoe's primary goal is to become an elementary school teacher, and later, go into counseling to help children on a one-on-one basis. She is also a member of the NAACP.

Keyah White (left) chose elementary education as her major because ever since she could remember, she always wanted to teach.  The sophomore from Baltimore, MD, says she’d like to “teach emergent skills.  I would like to make things happen for my students at a young age and watch them grow in their education and shine, and move on to bigger things in higher education.”  White belongs to the Student North Carolina Association of Educators (SNCAE), which is a student branch of a professional organization that covers insurance for teachers as long as they are in the classroom.  She has also been named to the Dean’s List and is a Presidential Scholar.

Bennett College
900 East Washington Street
Greensboro, North Carolina  27401
Phone: (336) 273-4431
URL: http://www.bennett.edu

Alcorn State University

Alcorn State University was created in 1871 and has the distinction of being the first historically Black land-grant and state-supported institution for higher education in the United States. It ranked sixth nationally among all universities in the production of African Americans with baccalaureate degrees in the biological sciences, according to statistics from the U. S. Department of Education in 1999. Alcorn State is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate, bachelor's, master's and educational specialist degrees. Alcorn State is dedicated to academic excellence and producing students with good citizenship qualities. Situated on 1,700 acres and known as "A Campus of Excellence," Alcorn attracted students from all 82 counties in Mississippi, 42 other states and from 18 foreign countries. Alcorn State University selected two talented students for the scholarship. They are Tantaneshia Houston and Kenneth Smith.

Tantaneshia Houston, (right) a senior originally from Philadelphia, MS, is a member of many organizations and has received numerous honors on campus.  Among the organizations she is involved in are the Beaute Noire Modeling Club, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and the Order of Eastern Star (a Christian group).  Among the honors, Houston has been named to the Dean’s List since 1996, selected as a member of  “Who’s Who Among College Students,” and is a member of the Honor's Program. Houston selected elementary education as her major because she feels she can make a difference in the world, and contribute what she’s been teaching her own brothers and sisters to others.  She has always wanted to be a teacher and plans to receive her master's degree at Alcorn, and teach students in grades K-3.

Kenneth Smith, (left) a senior born and raised in Cleveland, MS, decided to become an elementary education major because he wanted to teach students that “there is more to having a well-rounded life than just getting book-knowledge.”  He later plans to focus on the administrative aspect of education. Smith is active in many organizations on campus, including Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc., Basiles of Major Psi Phi ETA Chapter, and Head Drum Major in the Alcorn State University’s Sounds of Dynamite Marching Band.  His honors include being a member of the Honor Student’s program and he was listed in  “Who’s Who Among College Students” this past year.

Alcorn State University
1000 ASU Drive
Alcorn State, Mississippi 39096-7500
Phone: (601) 877-6100
URL: http://www.alcorn.edu