Betty and Louie Dicks SCSU Scholarship

Navigating the Tapestry: Weaving Purpose at South Carolina State University Diversity has been a vibrant thread throughout my educational journey, sparking a desire for change amidst contrasting landscapes. Witnessing corporate prioritization of profit over people prompted my return to academia, driven by a quest to advocate for fairness and justice. Initially exploring education elsewhere in South Carolina, I yearned for a transformative environment that celebrates diversity and fosters positive change. South Carolina State University (SCSU) emerged as the beacon I sought, proudly embracing its legacy as a historically Black institution. Selecting Human Resources as my focus wanted to find my calling within this environment, resonating deeply with its capacity to champion inclusivity within organizational structures. At SCSU, I have been enriched by insightful professors who navigate the delicate balance of leadership, ethics, and organizational behavior. Engaging with peers equally committed to social justice reinforced the understanding that education extends far beyond the confines of textbooks—it is a tool for fostering societal equity and driving meaningful change. Beyond its role as an educational institution, SCSU stands as a testament to resilience, community, and the transformative power of education. Pursuing my Business Management degree with a specialization in Human Resources, I embrace the responsibility to advocate for fairness and amplify marginalized voices both within and beyond campus borders. Within the halls of SCSU, I have discovered my purpose—a melody resonating far beyond classroom walls. Together with my peers, we compose a symphony of inclusivity, respect, and ethical conduct, actively shaping the future we envision. Expanding on the theme of diversity, SCSU's commitment to embracing varied identities prepares students for success in an increasingly interconnected world. Diversity, encompassing not just racial differences but also factors such as gender and socioeconomic status, enriches the educational experience and fosters a vibrant campus community. Moreover, diversity is not just a moral imperative; it is also a strategic advantage in the business world. Research consistently demonstrates that diverse teams are more innovative and adaptable, contributing to sustainable growth and competitive advantage. As a future leader in Human Resources, I recognize the importance of championing diversity initiatives as both ethically imperative and strategically advantageous. Resilience is another hallmark of the SCSU experience. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout its history, the institution and its community have persevered, embodying a spirit of determination in the face of adversity. This legacy of resilience serves as a source of inspiration, motivating me to overcome challenges and make a meaningful impact. Also desired to be somewhere that I did not have to concern myself, on a routine basis with racial insults hurled at me as in the past at the first University I attended. In conclusion, my journey at South Carolina State University has been transformative, shaping my understanding of diversity, resilience, and purpose. From the vibrant tapestry of voices on campus to the lessons learned in the classroom, SCSU has equipped me with the tools and inspiration to weave change in the world around me. As I embark on the next phase of my journey, I carry with me the optimism and determination instilled by my experiences at SCSU, confident in my ability to make a meaningful difference in the world. Steven P. Gethers

What inspired me to attend South Carolina State University and pursue my major in speech pathology is a combination of my passion for helping others and the unique challenges in the field. As a member of the football team and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, I thrive on overcoming obstacles and proving what I can bring to the table. Speech pathology appealed to me because there aren’t many males in this field, and I wanted to take on that challenge and demonstrate my capabilities. Moreover, my passion for working with kids plays a significant role in my decision. I find it incredibly rewarding to connect with children and ensure they feel comfortable and supported. South Carolina State University’s supportive community and commitment to nurturing students' potential made it the perfect place for me to pursue this path.

As I approach my junior year of college I am more politically aware of the decisions that politicians make and how they can impact our future, especially as a young African American male. And it has opened my eyes to the importance of receiving a college degree. I grew up in an area where several of my peers did not pursue higher education and they are just existing right now but I do not want that for my life. I chose South Carolina State University because it is an HBCU close to home, it has a great Business program and it is an institution that supports student achievement. Being accepted into South Carolina State University has been integral in helping me prepare for my future. I aim to become a Real Estate mogul by majoring in Business Management. A scholarship for me would represent not only financial assistance but an opportunity to work toward accomplishing my goal. It also would help me with confidence knowing that I’m on the right track and that others are supporting my dream. Ever since I could remember my dad always preached to me the value of education. My dad served 32 years in the United States Army and was not able to attend college during that time. After his retirement, he was diagnosed as being a 100% permanent disabled veteran. His diagnosis did not stop him from pursuing higher education while in his 50s. My dad went on to complete a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree within 4 years. He became the first male in our family to receive a college degree. A scholarship will help me to follow in his footsteps and continue his legacy of valuing the importance of a college education. In closing, I believe that receiving this scholarship will lessen the financial weight that is placed on my family and allow me to continue in the pursuit of my dreams. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. Sincerely, Tarekio Hill

I am Austin https://launchpad.classlink.com/home#myappsAnderson a rising sophomore attending South Carolina State University majoring in Agriculture. My passion for agriculture was nurtured during my high school years by my Ag teacher Mrs. Ramsey who gave us engaging hands on opportunities with farming, hydroponics growing towers, taking soil samples, and learning operational skills of using a tractor and other equipment. These meaningful classes at the Rock Hill (ATC)Applied Technology Center and the FFA (Future Farmers of America) competitions and conferences taught me to be a leader. These opportunities prepared me to be the president for two terms for Rock Hill School District and selected as a SC Boys State Representative in the leadership program. I feel that all of these key pieces lead me to further my training and gain experiences that will sharpen my craft and fuel my passion in the field of Agriculture/ Agribusiness. Attending an HBCU and getting the hands-on exposure is important to me, and being able to interact with other black like-minded brothers and sisters who want to better themselves and be successful. I am also inspired to continue the family legacy that has been established for me. Both of my parents, uncles and my grandfather attended this institution. My roots run deep at South Carolina State, and I want to feel the spirit of my ancestors as I matriculate and grow as a young black educated agribusiness major. My primary goals are to gain a degree in Agriculture and work with the USDA or an agriculture company. Another lifelong goal is to revitalize our family farm in hopes to increase land usage and eventually expand to establish my own farm. The need for innovative agriculture could help solve some of the critical issues with environmental and food disparities in our communities that suffer from food deserts. This is important to me as a future black farmer who wants to make a difference. Austin Anderson Austin.Anderson26@icloud.com

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of knowledge in my community. Despite facing numerous challenges, education stood as the key to overcoming adversity and achieving dreams. Inspired by this realization, I embarked on a journey to pursue my passion for Cybersecurity at South Carolina State University. My decision to attend SC State was deeply influenced by its rich history of academic excellence and commitment to fostering leaders who drive positive change in their communities. As a historically Black university, SC State has a distinguished legacy of empowering students from diverse backgrounds to excel academically and contribute meaningfully to society. This legacy resonates deeply with me, as it aligns perfectly with my aspirations to make a difference in the world. From a young age, I have been fascinated by Computers in general. Whether it was exploring the intricate complexities of wiring and messing around with coding of the computer, I found myself captivated by the endless possibilities that this field offers. This fascination was further fueled by my experiences and interactions with mentors who encouraged me to explore my interests and pursue my dreams relentlessly. SC State's renowned cybersecurity program stood out to me not only for its academic rigor but also for its emphasis on practical application and real-world impact. The opportunity to learn from distinguished faculty members who are leaders in their fields is something that I eagerly anticipate. Moreover, SC State’s commitment to providing hands-on learning experiences, internships, and research opportunities will undoubtedly equip me with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel as a cybersecurity analyst and beyond. Beyond academic excellence, SC State’s vibrant campus community and supportive network of peers and alumni further solidified my decision to choose this esteemed institution. I am eager to collaborate with fellow students who share my passion and drive, as well as engage with alumni who have made significant contributions to the cyber department and various industries. As I reflect on my journey thus far and look ahead to the future, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to pursue my education at South Carolina State University. I am committed to leveraging this opportunity to not only achieve academic success but also to contribute meaningfully to my community and society as a whole. My experiences and aspirations have prepared me to embark on this transformative journey at SC State, where I am confident that I will continue to grow, learn, and thrive. In conclusion, my decision to attend South Carolina State University and pursue cybersecurity is driven by my passion for learning, my commitment to excellence, and my desire to make a positive impact in the world. SC State’s esteemed newly made cyber program, combined with its rich history and supportive community, provide the perfect foundation for me to achieve my goals and fulfill my dreams. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to embracing all that SC State has to offer as I embark on this inspiring journey of personal and academic growth.

One of my biggest reasons why I attend South Carolina State University is the way the school makes me feel like I'm part of a family. Back in the summer of 2022, freshly graduated out of high school, despite a 3.25 GPA with honors in engineering and multiple acceptances to colleges, it was a struggle finding the most suitable college for me. After a friend advised me to look for HBCU's containing my major, one of the most recommended schools was South Carolina State. After a late application, I was accepted into the university; Not only was I accepted, but I also was met at my house by two former alumni from SC State's National Alumni Association representing the Atlanta chapter. They personally congratulated me and invited me to their annual cookout held by other members of the National Alumni Association representing the Atlanta chapter. No other school that I was accepted to, in-state or out-of-state, provided that one-on-one personal connection with me other than SCSU, and it stood out to me so well that attending was such an easy decision for me. Another reason why I was inspired to attend SC State is because of the potential I seen. SC State has a rich history of producing influential people who make many differences in the community, regardless of the major. While attending the cookout, I connected with many other successful alumni as they shared their words of wisdom in regards to life and my future at SCSU. One example of the connections that I made is when I was formally introduced to John Funny, a former SC State alumni who is CEO of Grice Consulting Group, a well-known engineering consulting firm with an office in Atlanta. John eventually invited me for a job shadowing and told me the fundamentals of civil engineering and also shared with me his biggest pieces of advice to becoming the best possible civil engineer. It was from that moment, along with the influence of others at SCSU, that I understood that networking while in college is a concept that is crucial to furthering your career, and SCSU provided many connections for me during my tenure. Through simply communicating with other students, administrators, and others dedicated to the school, I've been able to position myself for great opportunities to come. One of the biggest examples of this is when I attended SC State's Internship Day held in Belcher Hall. I met with Jeff Howard and Jay Baldwin of RK&K, a highly accredited engineering firm with an office in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Through a brief productive conversation with Jeff and Jay, I was able to secure myself a paid summer internship with RK&K. I've been helping RK&K in their I-26 Widening Project, a $439 million dollar project involving the widening of one of South Carolina's most well-known highways in I-26. The project is set to be finished by 2027. Not only have SC State's connections with other companies put me in a good position off campus, but it's also put me in better positions on campus. On campus, I currently serve as a member of the Student Orientation Leadership Program at SCSU, a member of 101 Black Men at SCSU, a tutor of General Chemistry and English Composition at the Student Success Center for SCSU, and I'm currently heading into my junior year serving as a Residential Assistant for Earle Hall. In conclusion, SC State has been welcoming to the development of me as a hard-working college student and a prestigious Black man in society since day one; attending SCSU was the best decision I've made.

Moving from Toronto, Canada to Orangeburg, South Carolina has given me experiences that have shaped me into the man I am today. Creating a pathway towards success and helping people has been my lifelong goal. When I was in the tenth grade of high school in Canada I was utilizing my free time to get better at playing basketball, fortunately I was good enough to receive the opportunity to travel to Florida and play for Lake Wales Charter High School in Lake Wales, Florida. This opportunity changed my life drastically, I moved in with the Hayes family and my pathway to success was laid out. Mr. Hayes is the Pastor of Mount Sinai AME Church in Lakeland, Florida and Mrs. Hayes is an elementary school teacher. The Hayes Family has become family to me and are an important factor to me being successful today. Becoming immersed In the church allowed me to stay out of trouble and on track. During my experience at Lake Wales High School I went on many college tours, my favorite tour was to FAMU. I previously had no knowledge of what an HBCU was, after seeing a community of black excellence where a minority becomes the majority I was hooked. It was captivating to see professors that shared the same skin color and could relate to students life experiences. I made the decision I was going to further my education at an HBCU. On the bus ride back to school I started to apply to every HBCU I could find on the internet. In my eleventh grade I helped start an organization at my school named "Brother To Brother" with the goal of bringing the black males population at my school together. When looking for an advisor to ensure the success of this organization I met Mr. Lemon who was a history teacher at the time. He is a graduate of South Carolina State University and is a member of the Xi Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi. He agreed to be our advisor and our relationship grew and he became a mentor in my life. We had many conversations about life aspirations in the future, and attending an HBCU to further my education was my upcoming goal to achieve. During our conversations he told me about his experiences at SC State University. His recollection of his time in Orangeburg sparked my interest, which resulted in me submitting an application for admittance. I learned about the Call Me Mister program through research and it has changed my life. This programs goal is to create revolutionary educators who are black males to change the lives of the future generations. This is a goal that I taken on in order to ensure a quality education is available to every child regardless of your economic status. This program inspired me to be a education major and change lives. My experiences in life inspired me to be a education major and to further my education at SC State University. Regardless whether I was in Canada or Florida they have been life lessons installed into me that have had influence on the decisions I've made to get to where I am today. My school choice was influenced by Mr. Lemon, and my major was influenced by the need for black male educators to change lives in the classroom. I believe after my decisions in life to come to SC State University and be an education major will harvest success in my life.

What pursue me to come to South Carolina state was that my uncle came here and allowed me to see how the school was. I also choose Criminal Justice as my major because he was what motivate me to join this field and I can wait what the future holds.

If I told my younger self in high school that I would be attending South Carolina State University, I wouldn’t believe it. I really didn’t know too much about the university and HBCU’s in general. I knew that I wanted to continue my education in college but I just didn’t know where honestly. Sure enough and without a doubt, I can tell you that attending South Carolina State is one of the biggest blessings God bestowed upon me. I’m from a small town located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina and not too many people are blessed to go to college with a free education. I was offered to play football for Coach Buddy Pough and the South Carolina State Bulldogs and being a student athlete took me places one can only dream of. I’ve accomplished a lot and throughout the years being at State, I’ve matured into the man I am today! Being at SC State has taught me to be more time oriented and more responsible. My parents aren’t here at school to make decisions for me and it is on me to make the right choices in college and hold myself accountable. I’m pursuing my degree in Physical Education of Teaching and I chose this field because I want to impact the youth and teach the importance of sports and fitness. Growing up my PE teacher always made class exciting and that was one class I for sure knew would be exhilarating no matter what day it is. Truth be told, we don’t know what kids are going through outside of school but as a future educator, my goal is to have the right energy and the right attitude for students to be themselves and for me to always be encouraging while being at school with them. I just want to be an influence for those who do not have a positive influence. Also, I want to increase the percentage of future African American male educators. One thing I love and respect about my HBCU is that we love to see black excellence. From the front gate, to the professors, classmates, cafeteria assistants, janitors, all of us support each other's culture and we all want each other to be the best versions of ourselves in life. Just like Grandma Betty and Big Lou are being a blessing and a sponge to us, I too hopefully pray that I will be a positive influence and a sponge for someone else in the long road.