15 New Bryan A. Collins Scholarship 
Winners Announced for 2011
Armstrong, Cannon, Connor and Smith
Recognized as 2-Time Winners 

NASHVILLE (AP) – For the 5th consecutive year, a group of the best and brightest students at Tennessee State University (TSU) 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.  

From Left to right: Alan Collins, Crystal Armstrong, Skylar,Dunn, Thomas Holman, Devonte Johnson, Akudo Amadi, Devonna Young, Shaquille Standifer, Shatira Wilson, Christopher Connor, Shondalyn Smith, Kaiana Webb, Kenya Payne, Charles Cannon, Francine Phillips, Manasseh Warner, Aaron Walton.    

The fifteen scholarship winners were recognized and honored at 5th annual Bryan A. Collins scholarship program hosted on May 1 by the Alpha Theta chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.  The program was held at the TSU Floyd-Payne Campus Center and attended by over 60 students, parents and faculty.

Dr. Gloria C. Johnson, Dean of Arts & Sciences, was the keynote speaker and welcomed this year's class of scholarship winners. "I'm honored that this scholarship program continues as a tribute to Bryan's legacy and his impact on our university."  

According to Dr. John Cade, Dean of Admissions and Chair of the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Committee: “Over 100 students applied for this scholarship this year.  The 15  young men and women that were selected were the cream of the crop and picked from a superbly qualified group of applicants.  We are especially pleased to recognize Crystal Armstrong, Charles Cannon, Christopher Connor and Shondalyn Smith as two-time winners of this prestigious scholarship award." 

Here is a close-up look at the fifteen 2011 Bryan A. Collins scholarship winners: 

Crystal Armstrong...Junior in Child Development & Family Relations with a 3.9 GPA....Two-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship...Plans to enter med school to become a pediatric doctor...also wants to open a dance studio...Golden Key International Honour Society....University Honors Program...Voted Miss Junior Class for 2010-2011...Anti-Epistoleus of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority...Member of Aristocrat of Bands, Magic Flutes Ensemble, Doxology Praise Dance Team...Recommended by Dr. Lois Harlston, Associate Professor of Physiology: “Crystal has a very high level of integrity,and a strong reputation for teamwork and working with others."

Akudo Amadi...Sophomore in English with a 3.9 GPA...Member of the Golden Key International Honour Society...Outside of the classroom she does volunteer work with the Hope Youth Services organization and Friendship Home Health, a mental health agency....Recommended by Dr. Teresa Todd, Asst Professor in the School of Humanities: "Akudu excels not only in the classroom but in her interpersonal relationships on campus as well. With other students she displays outstanding leadership, take the initiative in group situations, accepts challenges and serves as a role model for other students.

Charles Cannon...Junior in Economics & Finance with a 3.8 GPA...Two-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship...·      Plans to pursue a masters in accounting and get his CPA before entering business full-time...President, National Black MBA Associate Collegiate Chapter at TSU...Treasurer, Golden Key International Honor Society...University Honors Program...Phi Eta Sigman National Honor Society... Recommended by Julie Roberts, Academic Coordinator – College of Business: “Out of the hundreds of students that I work with, Charles is one of those students that truly stands out.  He excels both academically and socially…and at a level higher than most seniors."  
    

Christopher Connor...Junior in Agribusiness with a 3.46 GPA ....Two-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship...Plans to pursue law school and aspires to become a Supreme Court Justice...Mens Varsity Basketball Team...Fellowship of Christian Athletes...Minorities in Agriculture and Related Sciences...Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity...100 Black Men of Knoxville, TN...  Recommended by…William Hayslett, Academic Coordinator: “Christopher is an excellent student-athlete who has excelled at both. He is intelligent, dedicated, hardworking and has great vision and enthusiasm”.

Skylar Dunn...Freshman in Business Administration with a 4.0 GPA...Plans to pursue his MBA and work in sports administration as an agent and ultimately open his own sports agency firm...University Honors Program...Collegiate 100 Association...Volunteer and tutor for Nevade Childhood Cancer Foundation...Recommended by Julie Roberts, Academic Coordinator, College of Business:  “Skylar has impressed me with his professionalism and initiative. He has demonstrated a high level of intellect, dedication, leadership and perserverance.”

       

Thomas Holman...Sophomore in Mechanical Engineering with a 3.6 GPA...Plans to pursue his MBA and a career in investment banking.  Ultimately plans to open his own consulting firm...Vice President of National Society of Black Engineers...Mentor with the Big Brother/Big Sister Program...Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society...American Society of Mechanical Engineers...University Honors Program..Tennessee Board of Regents Scholar...Recommended by Michael Tirmer, Instructor and Computer Lab Manager at TSU:  “Thomas' work ethic, enthusiasm and inner drive sets him apart from other students.  He mentors, he volunteers, and he leads very effectively.”  

Devonte Johnson... Freshman in Biology with a 3.46 GPA...Plans on attending dental school to become an orthodontist or pediatric dentist...Representative-At-Large in Student Government Association...University Honors Program...Recommended by Judith Broadbent, Adjunct Professor , Dept of Languages & Philosophy: “Devonte is an articulate, dedicated  and excellent at analyzing problems and presenting his ideas.”

                    




Kenya Payne...Sophomore in Communications with a 3.7 GPA...Plans to pursue graduate studies in Public Relations...National Association of Colored Women’s Club...Women of Empowerment...Member of Leadership TSU...University Honors Program...Coordinator of Media Relations – IMC Advertising Agency...Recommended by Pamela Foster, Media Writing Instructor:  "Kenya is a stellar student, with a winning personality and has demonstrated great interpersonal skills with both students and faculty."  

Shondalyn Smith...Sophomore in Computer Science with a 3.6 GPA...Two-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship...Plans to pursue a career helping young girls who have grown up in single parent households...University Honors Program...Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society...National Society of Black Engineers...Involved in the ROAR Community Service project distributing books to day care centers and reading to children...Recommended by Dr. Sachin Shetty, Asst. Professor of Engineering: “Shondalyn is a sincere, hardworking student with an excellent work ethic.  She is dedicated, is an excellent problem solver and has strong interpersonal skills.” 

Shaquille Standifer...Sophomore in Business Administration with a 3.2 GPA...Plans to attend law school following graduation...President of the Generation of Educated Men...Student Coordinator of the University Ambassadors...Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity...Involved in community service extra-curricular events...Recommended by John Powers, Adjunct Professor, School of Business: “Shaquille has a strong work ethic and very focused on attaining his career goals.”

Aaron Walton...Sophomore in Accounting with a 3.78 GPA...Plans to pursue his MBA, CPA and join one of the Big 4 Accounting firms...Vice President, National Association of Black Accountants...VP of Finance, National Black NBA Association...Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity...University Honors Program...Volunteer for the Habitat for Humanity & Feed The Children Program...Recommended by Julie  Roberts, Academic Coordinator, College of Business:  “Aaron is hard working, extremely intelligent, a great networker and has shown exceptional  leadership skills. ”

Manasseh Warner...Freshman in Psychology with a 3.8 GPA...Plans to pursue her doctorate and aspires to become a licensed clinical psychologist in the State of Tennessee...Member of the Pre-Alumni Council...Psychology Club...Honors Program...Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and the  Germantown Humane Society...Recommended by Dr. Marcia W. Hotchkiss, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Communications: “Manasseh is intelligent, caring and has displayed excellence in working with others both inside and outside of the TSU campus.“

Keiana Webb... Sophomore in Business Administration with a  3.75 GPA...After graduation, plans to pursue either a career in Sports Marketing or an MBA in marketing...Youth Empowerment Program...First Ladies Club...Recommended by John Powers, Adjunct Professor of Business Law:  “Keiana is a leader, an excellent role and has a strong work ethic.  Also she is diligent, independent and committed individual. “

Shatira Wilson...Junior in Biology with a 3.80 GPA...Plans to attend medical school and establish her own private practice focusing on plastic surgery or reconstructive surgery...Golden Key Honour Society......Chemistry Club... TLSAMP Research Assistantship...Chemistry Club...ICAN Tutor...Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee...Recommended by Dr. Michael T. Ivy, Associate Professor of Biology:  ”Shatira is bright, talented, an exceptional student and well-respected by her fellow students.  I’m confident that she’ll achieve all her future academic and professional goals.”

DeVonna Young...Sophomore in Criminal Justice & Psychology with a 3.88 GPA...Plans to pursue a PhD in Psychology and potentially work in the FBI in Forensic Psychology...University Honors Program...Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity...Women of Infinite Potential...Golden Key International Honour Society...Sophomore Ambassadors...Mentor & Tutor at Maplewood High School...Recommended by Dr. James Haney, Professor  in School of Psychology: ”DeVonna has demonstrated excellent leadership qualities, a strong work ethic on a day-to-day basis and a strong commitment to the field of Forensic Psychology.”  

Said Francine Phillips and Alan Collins, parents of the late Bryan A. Collins and sponsors of the scholarship program:  "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 Ben and Essie Scott, Bryan's godparents, for joining us for this year's program and to Betsy Jackson, Director of the TSU Foundation; Sedric Griffin, Director of Admissions, and the men of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity for their leadership in organizing another outstanding scholarship celebration program."

As 2011 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.