Page 19 - Florida Sentinel 4-20-18

HBCU
Bethune-Cookman University One Of Four HBCU’s Nationwide To Receive Beyoncé Knowles’ BeyGOOD Initiative Homecoming Scholars Award
BEYONCE
DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Bethune-Cookman Univer- sity is all abuzz with the an- nouncement that entertainer and philanthropist Beyoncé Knowles will award a de- serving student a $25,000 scholarship for the 2018 – 2019 academic year as part of the BeyGOOD Initiative Homecoming Scholars Award Program.
Beyoncé, indisputably one of the most influential entertainers of her genera- tion, became the first African American woman to head- line the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival since its inception 19 years ago on April 14, 2018. Her electrify- ing performance has since been dubbed “Beychella.”
Following the HBCU homecoming-themed Coachella performance, which “paid homage to excel- lence in education, was a cel- ebration of the homecoming weekend experience and the highest display of college pride,” according to a Bey- GOOD press release, the newly-established scholar- ship was announced.
“I am truly grateful for this high honor in the legacy of our founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune,” said Bethune-Cookman Univer- sity Interim President Hu- bert L. Grimes. “This gift reminds us of the impor- tance of HBCU’s and the sup- port for our students from the entire community. We want to properly thank Bey- oncé for selecting our Uni- versity for this prestigious honor and financial support
and hope Beyoncé’s leader- ship encourages other high- profile persons to invest in our young people who are at- tending HBCUs,” Grimes said.
This is a special season in the memory of Dr. Bethune, as the Florida Legislature has recently passed a bill naming Dr. Bethune as the first African American to represent a state in U. S. Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., replacing a confederate general.
“The individual selected for this scholarship will re- flect both our founder’s vi- sion and the respect we have for Beyoncé and her many contributions to the fabric of our society,” Grimes contin- ued.
“Wesalutetherichlegacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” states Ivy McGregor, director of phi- lanthropy and corporate re- lations at Parkwood Entertainment, which houses BeyGOOD. “We honor all institutions of higher learning for maintain- ing culture and creating en- vironments for optimal learning which expands dreams and the seas of pos- sibilities for students.”
The Homecoming Schol- ars Award Program for 2018 – 2019 will expand to all qualifying students at the four universities, which include Bethune-Cook- man, Tuskegee, Xavier and Wilberforce, regard- less of gender. The disci- plines will include literature, creative arts, African-Ameri-
can studies, science, educa- tion, business, communica- tions, social sciences, computer science and engi-
neering. All applicants must maintain a 3.5 GPA or above.
Bethune-Cookman Uni-
versity will announce its Homecoming Scholars Award recipient at a later date.
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7-B