[hr]
[hr]
JSU students Mason Bracely and Andrew Thomas were recently selected by the Jackson State University Development Foundation (JSUDF) to receive the Annie Willie Scholarship. The Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation awarded $12,000 to the JSUDF to distribute evenly among both students for two years. The Annie Willie Scholarship is only awarded to students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
“We are honored and privileged to receive the Annie Willie Scholarship from the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation,” says Monica Lewis, manager of Annual Giving. “Many of our students here at JSU are first-generation students with minimal family support and a significant financial need. With the support of foundations like the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation, we are able to provide financial assistance to deserving students.”
Bracely is a sophomore majoring in chemistry in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. The Arkansas native says, “It’s a blessing to receive assistance that financially helps with the cost of my education. It’s also really cool that Dr. Maya Angelou and I are from the same hometown.”
Thomas is a transfer student majoring in Mass Communication. He says, “I am thankful to Jackson State and the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation for this scholarship—hard work pays off. My personal motto that helps me stay diligent and consistent is ‘when you fall down nine times, always get up ten’.”
The Foundation criteria for students receiving the scholarship is as follows:
- One general scholarship
- One scholarship to a physically-challenged/mobility-impaired or re-entry student
- Student must have a financial need for this scholarship
- Student must also maintain a passing grade average at JSU
A progress report is also due at the end of the first and second semesters to ensure that each student is qualified to continue receiving funds from the scholarship.