2010 Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program

Twelve New Bryan A. Collins Scholarship
Winners Announced for 2010; Coates, Echols 
and Mensah Honored as Two-Time Winners 

NASHVILLE (AP) – For the fourth year in a row, a highly select group of the best and brightest students at Tennessee State University were awarded Bryan A. Collins Memorial Scholarships.  This scholarship award is given every year to outstanding minority students who demonstrate excellence in leadership and academics in pursuing their college degrees.  

According to Dr. John Cade, associate vice president at TSU and co-chair of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship committee:  “Over 60 students applied for the scholarship this year and the 12 young men and women selected have distinguished themselves as the cream of the crop for 2010.  As one of Bryan's mentors on campus, I'm honored that this scholarship program continues as a tribute to Bryan's legacy and his impact on our university.  We are especially pleased to recognize Gregory Coates, Ryan Echols and Kwatema Mensah as two-time winners of this prestigious scholarship award."   

From Left to right: Alan Collins, Gregory Coates, Christopher Conner, Shondalyn Smith, Ryan Echols, Jarred Graham, Jeremy Perry, Ashleigh Taylor, Charles Cannon, Crystal Armstrong, Elise Kendrick, Francine Phillips. Sitting in Front: Courtney Gant, Kwatema Mensah.

The twelve scholarship winners were recognized and honored at 4th annual Bryan A. Collins scholarship program hosted on April 24 by the Alpha Theta chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.  The program was held at the Tennessee State Floyd-Payne Campus Center and attended by over 30 students, parents and faculty.

Said Francine Phillips and Alan Collins, parents of the late Bryan A. Collins and sponsors of the scholarship program:  "For the fourth year in a row, we would like to thank our family, friends, colleagues and the PepsiCo Foundation for their contributions to this scholarship.  And once again, we'd like to extend our personal, heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Pamela Hewitt and Warren Lawson of Chicago for their extraordinarily generous contributions to Bryan's scholarship fund."  

"Finally, we'd like to thank Sedric Griffin and the men of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity for their leadership in organizing another outstanding scholarship celebration program."

Here is a close-up look at the twelve 2009 Bryan A. Collins scholarship winners: 

Gregory Coates...from Columbus, GA....Two-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship...Senior in Biology with a 3.43 GPA...Plans to specialize in Internal Medicine as a Physician’s Assistant... Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity...-Big Brother/Big Sister of Middle Tennessee...Student Elections Committee...Research Assistant with the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation...Recommended by Dr. Kiesa Kelly, Asst Professor of Psychology:  “Among the thousands of students I have taught, Gregory stands out as an exceptionally bright, thoughtful and dedicated student with great potential.”

Ryan Echols...from Atlanta...Two-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship...Senior in Health Sciences, majoring in Cardio-Respiratory Care carrying a 3.2 GPA...Plans to get his MBA and open his own Rehabilitation Center, as it's Director of Cardio-Pulmonary Services...    Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity...Volunteer & mentor to students at YMCA...Volunteer at HCA (Hospital Corp of America...Student Member of Health Care Providers of America...  Recommended by Christa Sala, Cardio-Respirtory Care Sciences Instructor: “Ryan has demonstrated excellent leadership, true community commitment and is a role model to students that he mentors.”  

Kwatema Mensah...from Cincinatti, OH...Two-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship...Sophomore in Business Administration with a 3.3 GPA...Plans to work in the Supply Chain field and ultimately open her own business....TSU Tennis Team...Sobeya Dance Group...Volunteer at the City Gospel Mission...Head Team Lead at Easter Seals Work Center...Takes yearly mission trips with her hometown church.  Recommended by Abu Wahid, TSU Math Professor:  “Kwetema is bright, energetic, compassionate and has spent considerable time in community involvement activities.  On one trip in particular she traveled to Juarez, Mexico to build homes and shelters for the impoverished and needy.”

Crystal Armstrong...from Birmingham, Alabama...Sophomore in Speech Pathology with a 3.9 GPA...Plans to pursue Masters in Speech Pathology...Long term goal is to become a medical doctor and her open own Dance Studio for lower income neighborhoods...University Honors Program...Gold Key Honor Society...Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Financial Secretary...Aristocrat of Bands...Recommended by Dr Sandra Holt, Director of University Honors Program: “Crystal has my highest recommendation…she’s determined to succeeded…takes the toughest university classes and excels…and is also passionately pursuing her love of dance and music.”

Charles Cannon....from Huntsville, Alabama...Sophomore in Economics & Finance with a 3.8 GPA...Plans to pursue his MBA, enter Investment Banking in NYC and eventually become a CEO of a Fortune 500 Company...President of the National Black MBA Association, TSU Chapter...Vice President, University Honors Program...Voted Mr. Collegiate by the Collegiate 100 Black Men at TSU...Brothers for Others Program...Mentor with the All the Kings Men Program mentoring black male high school students... Recommended by Julie Roberts, Academic Coordinator, College of Business:  “Charles truly stands out amongst his peers.  He is a top achiever with a high level of maturity and ingenuity.”

Christopher Connor...Sophomore in Agriculture Business with a 3.54 GPA...Plans to attend law school, take on civil cases and ultimately become a Judge...Member of STAT, a Wednesday night bible study group...member of the TSU Men’s Basketball Team...Recommended By William Hayslett, Academic Coordinator:  “Christopher is an intelligent, dedicated, hard-working young man with excellent interpersonal skills, vision and enthusiasm.” 

Courtney Gant...Junior in Arts & Sciences majoring in Child Development & Learning (K-6) with a 3.78 GPA...Plans to pursue graduate school for her Masters in Administration in order to become an administrator in an inner city school...and ultimately a School Superintendent...Teacher in Vacation Bible School at St John Missionary Baptist Church...   Voted Miss NACWC (National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs)...Secretary of Student Tennessee Education Association...Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society...Recommended By Dr. Graham Matthews: “Courtney is a talented, creative, with unlimited potential to be a valuable asset to the teaching profession.” 

Jarred Graham...Sophomore in Biology with a 3.02 GPA...Plans to attend dental school to become a Dentist....Volunteer with Aramark in the Cafeteria...Volunteer with Tiger Recycling...Member of Aristocrat of Bands...Undergraduate Student National Dental Association...Recommended By Dr. Lois Harlston, Associate Professor of Biology:  “Jarred has a high level of integrity, team player, great communicator with excellent reputation for fulfilling commitments.” 

Elise Kendrick..Junior – majoring in Art with a 4.0 GPA...Plans to attend graduate school specializing in Jewelry making and Metalsmithing, enabling her to open my own boutique selling customized jewelry….Would also like to own a therapy center for at risk youths...   TSU Honors Program Mentor...Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority...Tutor at Project SEE, an after school program...Recommended By Carlyle D. Johnson, Head of Department of Art:  “Elise is an invaluable resource to the Department of Art .  She is self-motivated, with a strong sense of character, resourceful and extremely hard-working”

Jeremy Perry...from Memphis, Tennessee...Junior in Mass Communications with a 3.7 GPA...Wants to become a member of a sports production team…then start his own production company assisting athletes excel in college...Member of campus sports broadcasting team...Co-host of WTST AM 1600 Sports Talk Show: “4 Quarters”...TSU Football Team...Videographer for Liberty City Church of God in Christ in Memphis...Recommended By Alan Griggs, Associate Professor, Communications: “Jeremy possesses a positive attitude, strong desire and commitment to hard work.  He has distinguished himself as a student in the classroom, and an athlete who is credit to the university as a whole.”  

Shondalyn Smith...from Huntsville, Alabama...Freshman in Computer Science with a 3.8 GPA...Plans to become head of National Public Affairs for NASA or gain an CEO at an Engineering or Technology company...National Society of Black Engineers...Thurgood Marshall College Fund participant...Web Editor – Combination Magazine...Spirit & Truth Dance Ministry...Involved in the ROAR Community Service project , distributing books to day care centers and reading to children...  Recommended by Sandra Holt, Director of Academic Affairs:  “Shondalyn is one of my valued students with a strong hunger and desire to succeed.  She is conscientious, professional and with excellent innate leadership skills.”

Ashleigh Taylor...from Memphis, Tennessee...Sophomore in Mass Communications with a 3.8 GPA...Plans to attend graduate school to become a Public Relations or Community Relations Director in a Fortune 500 company.... University Honors Program Newsletter Editor...Student Union Board of Governors...Mt. Zion College Ministry Leader...Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – Corresponding Secretary... Recommended By James Stephens, Associate Professor of Journalism:  “Ashleigh excels academically, constantly seeks improvement, displays leadership and has great potential.”

As 2010 Bryan A. Collins scholars, each of these students will receive a $2,000.00  scholarship grant towards their tuition for the  upcoming school year. 

If you'd like to contribute to the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program,
you can find more information here.

If you'd like to apply for the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program,
you can find more information here.