2009 Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program

Twelve New 2009 Bryan A. Collins Scholarship
Winners Announced; Locklin Becomes
First-Ever Two-Time Winner 

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

The record number of 12 scholarships were awarded at the 3rd annual Bryan A. Collins scholarship program hosted on April 26 by the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.  The program was held at the Tennessee State Floyd-Payne Campus Center and attended by over 50 students, parents and faculty.  Jasmine Locklin, a junior in Biology from Washington DC, made history as the first two-time winner of this scholarship award.  

Dr. John Cade, associate vice president at Tennessee State and co-chair of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship committee headlined the program as keynote speaker.  “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.  The 12 students that have been selected to receive this prestigious scholarship award are all worthy and outstanding role models and leaders on campus."

 
From Left to right: Victor Hogue, Alan Collins, Dena Donald, Gregory Coates, Kwatema Mensah, Jeremy Langford, Whitley Alexander, James Bland, Carmen Harris, Shawn Motley, Jasmine Locklin, Javaris Polk, Daphney Sagaille, Francine Phillips.

Said Francine Phillips and Alan Collins, parents of the late Bryan A. Collins and sponsors of the scholarship program:  "For the third 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 Ryan Echols (Bryan Collins Scholar '08), Rilan Betts, Sedric Griffin and the entire Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity for their leadership and support in organizing another outstanding scholarship celebration program."   

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

Jasmine Locklin.....From Washington DC....First two-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship....Junior in Biology with a 3.5 GPA...Plans to pursue Pediatrics...Golden Key Honor Society ...Biology Club Community Service Chair...Athletic Academic Services Tutor...Advertising Manager of The Meter... Co-Director of Hale Residence Hall...University Honors Program...Student National Medical Association...Math & Science Volunteer at Cockrill Elementary School...From Carl Darnell, Director, Hall Residence Hall:  "Jasmine is a natural leader, with a success orientation, great organization skills, and role model for other students."     
 

Whitley Alexander....From Guys, Tennessee... Junior in Marketing with a 3.0 GPA....Plans to pursue a Masters degree in Branding....Current president of the Multicultural Friendship Society...Member of Students for Free Enterprise...Does peer counseling...Big Sister for Big Sisters/Big Brothers of Middle Tennessee...Participated in an Economics study abroad program in  Jamaica....From Dr. Galen Spensor-Hull, Director – International Business Programs: "Whitley is highly dependable, devoted and conscientious.”

James Bland....From Versailles, KY...Junior in Biology with a 3.1 GPA...Plans to attend dental school specializing in Orthodontics ...Current president of the Undergraduate Student National Dental Association...Member of the Aristocrat of Bands...Participated in the Kentucky Governors Scholars Program...Member of TSU Collegiate 100 Black Men... Tutors Preston Taylor elementary students.... Decorates Nashville nursing homes & assists with food, clothing and toy drives during the holiday season....From Dr. John Robinson, Associate Professor of Biology: James has excellent leadership, critical thinking, communications and people skills."  

Gregory Coates....From Columbus, Georgia...Junior in Biology with a 3.3 GPA....Plans to attend medical school and become a doctor...Elected Mr .Honors as part of the University Honors Program...Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society...Beta Kappa Chi National Science Honor Society...Member of the American Medical Student Association...Big Brother in the Brother/Big Sister Program of Middle Tennessee....From Melissa Hull, Asst Professor at TSU:  “Gregory is an  Impressive young man with a bright future. He has gained respect from both his teachers and his peers.”  

Dena Donald....From Bellwood, IL...Freshman in Political Science with a 3.7 GPA...Plans to attend law school after graduation....Freshman Class Parliamentarian....Member of the Freshman Delegation....Chicago Club Community Service Coordinator...General Assembly Representative....From Erik Schmeller, Associate Professor of History: "Dena is self-motivated, has had a positive impact, and has distinguished herself as an outstanding student and student leader."  

Carmen Harris...From Houston, TX...Junior in Business with a 3.7 GPA...future goal is to become a vice president of procurement in a  Fortune 500 company...Elected Freshman Class President...Voted Miss Junior of the Royal Court of Miss TSU...Member of House of Delegates....Undergraduate member of National Black MBA Association...Volunteers with the Nashville Humane Society...From Susan Sutton, Director –  Research Programs Department: “Carmen exhibits the qualities that leaders possess and is capable of accomplishing any goal she sets her gaze upon.”

Victor Hogue...From Yazoo City, Mississippi...Junior in Biology Pre-Medicine with a 3.1 GPA..,.plan to attend medical school at Howard...Bill & Melinda Gates Scholar...Tom Jones Scholar...Volunteers at the Campus Health Center, American Red Cross and the Rape & Sexual Abuse Center...Member of the American Medical Student Association...Mentors others through the Bridge Builder Program...New student orientation leader...From Jewell Parham, Instructor in TSU Dept of Languages:  "Victor is responsible, diligent, respectful, with excellent people skills that enables him to get along well with everyone."

Jeremy Langford...From Chattanooga, TN....Junior in Architectural Engineering with a 3.0 GPA...plans to pattend graduate school in Architectural Design...Community Service Chair for the Hale Hall Council...Tutor for the Hall Hall Outreach program...Volunteers at Hadley Park Library tutoring inner city children...Gives campus tours to new students...Member of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga....Involved in Breast Cancer Walk, Elderly Olympics, Campus Clean Ups...From Virginia Tickles, College of Engineering:  "Jeremy is dedicated, driven to succeed in both in his academic and in his community service work." 



Kwatema Mensah....From Cincinatti, OH...Freshman in Business with a 3.14 GPA....wants to attend graduate school in marketing and eventually own her own business.  Member of the Sobey African Dance Group...involved in the Ohio Club which engages in  community service projects....,member of the City Gospel Mission...INROADS Program ...From William Perry, Professor of Economics:  "Kwatema has a professional attitude, demonstrates patience, maturity, empathy, and follows through on commitments.  She also demonstrates qualities highly valued in public service."

Shawn Motley....From Indianapolis...Sophomore in Business Administration with a 3.2 GPA...plans to pursue an MBA following graduation.... Sophomore Student Ambassador at Tennessee State University...Member of the Generation of Educated Men...Nominated to Student Election Commission...From Martha Stratton, Instructor of Biological Sciences: "Shawm is a future leader with strong values, an excellent work ethic, who is competitive in the classroom and leading the way with young black males on campus."

Javaris Polk...From Birmingham, AL...Sophomore in Health Science with a 3.0 GPA...Plans to pursue a doctorate in Physical Sciences...President of the Health Sciences Student Association...Financial Aid Rep for the Student Government Association...  Student Judicial Committee ...  Educating & Mentoring Students to Abstain From Risky Behaviors...Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society ...Collegiate Black Men of Middle Tennessee...Male to Male Mentoring Organization....From Dr. Elizabeth Brown, Assistant Professor:  "Javaris is an aggressive team player, with civic spirit and great leadership skills."

Daphnay Sagaille...From Evanston, IL ...Junior in Business Administration with a 3.0 GPA...plans to attend graduate school in business to obtain her MBA in Marketing....Leader of the Women of Infinite Potential Public Relations ...NAACP Student Member...Pre-Alumni Council...Junior Class Congress...Volunteers at the Sexual Abuse Center...From Ms Claudine Greer, Director - New Resident’s Center:  Daphnay is  hard-working, motivated, goal-oriented, with excellent interpersonal skills and highly respected by her peers."

As 2009 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.