Leon M. Braswell III Book Scholarship

Leon M. Braswell III found his calling in college admissions where he recruited students to several colleges in New England including the University of Vermont, Bowdoin College, and Tufts University.

As a young boy, Leon told his mother that one day he would travel the world. He accomplished this by being in charge of recruitment of international students for Tufts and at his final dream job as the Director of Admissions of Northwestern University in Qatar. At each institution, Leon's support of students did not end after he admitted them to college. Caring about their success, he served as a mentor and "big brother" to numerous students. The connections he established with his students followed them beyond the campus, reaching out after graduation, being present at their weddings, and becoming "Uncle Leon" to their children.

He had a deep passion for learning and reading history, politics, education, black history, autobiographies, cook books, and numerous fiction and novels. Leon would often share his large personal library of books with friends, family, and students.

This scholarship was founded as a way of honoring Leon, his achievements, and his passion for learning and education, by helping underrepresented minority students pay for books as they embark on their college experience.

 Applicants must be from historically underrepresented minority groups and must be high school seniors who will be first generation college students. This scholarship is specific to students in the Northeast: from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania. 

To apply, create a submission that explains diversity to someone who has never heard of the word/concept. Creativity is encouraged, so feel free to submit original poems, essays, videos, song lyrics, art, etc.