By William H. Kelly III
(JACKSON, Miss.) – Ten Jackson State University (JSU) students are recipients of a $75,000 scholarship from New York Times best-selling author James Patterson and the Patterson Family Foundation. The scholarship awards $7,500 each to five undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in writing.
“This transformative gift from the Patterson Family Foundation is one of the most significant contributions to support writing education in Jackson State’s history,” said Sloan Cargill, vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs and executive director of the JSU Development Foundation. “Through this investment, we are building upon our strong tradition of literary creation and education in support of future writers and writing instructors.”
In addition to exemplifying academic excellence, students submitted samples of their literary work to a scholarship committee and are pursuing a degree or minor in creative writing. The creative writing program was established in 2021 in the College of Liberal Arts (COLA).
Grace Ann Elinsky attained her undergraduate degree in creative writing from JSU and is currently a graduate student and research assistant in the Department of English and Modern Languages (EML) in the COLA. Elinsky says the opportunity allows her to focus more on her craft as a writer and to pour into other rising artists through outlets such as the Jackson State Writers Association (JSWA), which she founded.
“I always wanted to be, in the long run, a professor of literature, fiction or creative writing, and then, a writer. As an artist, funding really helps open up space to be more creative and have fewer responsibilities, such as working several jobs,” she said. “In the long run, this scholarship will allow equipped and healthy artists in the world to then pass the baton and create more healthy artists.”
Ladorian Shelton, a member of the JSWA and Southern Labor Youth Movement at JSU, was emotional after learning that he was awarded the scholarship, noting that now his “entire balance is covered” for the academic year.
“I’m very blessed to be in this position. When I was told that I would be able to go to school without having to worry about working full-time like I was, I honestly cried,” said Shelton. “I’ve felt like I truly belong here at JSU. I’ve been able to make my mark on the world. I’m so grateful–so, so, so grateful that I got that acceptance letter from JSU, and I’ve gotten to be a Tiger. I believe that this has been some of the greatest times of my life.”
Shelton shared that many of his works are fiction and that he enjoys slam poetry, scriptwriting and drawing. He aspires to become a professional artist and says that his joy for writing is “pure.”
“I’ve always had one thing, and that is my love for writing. I want to make art, and that’s just the purest form of my goal. When I graduate, I would like to get paid for creating, but if I don’t, then I will still be creating. It’s not about the money for me. It’s not about fame. It’s just the pure joy that I get in writing.”
Ebony Lumumba, Ph.D., chair of the EML department, says the Patterson Family Foundation scholarship not only demonstrates that students are interested in writing and the arts, but that there is financial support available for them.
“This is such a substantial award, specifically to support the arts, isolated for students to be creative. Being creative is a courageous feat, so to have their courage affirmed and acknowledged in a way that’s tangible, that will get them to the next step, really makes all the difference for what you can be bold about doing with your future and with your talent,” said Lumumba.
The list of JSU awardees includes:
- Ashyia Crowther
- Blaise Adams
- Deashia Hill
- Grace Ann Elinski
- Imani Skipwith
- Ladorian Shelton
- Makhi Smith
- Moneek Pharms
- Noni Burke
- Scottie Stewart
Find out more about the JSU Creative Writing program by visiting www.jsums.edu/creativewriting/.
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Media Contact: William H. Kelly III, william.h.kelly@jsums.edu