Alabama State University News Oct 26, 2011 Students Awarded Scholarships from Dr. Maya Angelou's Foundation By Timothy C. Ervin Alabama State University recently awarded scholarships to two students, thanks to Dr. Maya Angelou's Anne and Willie Foundation. The small, private foundation was established by Angelou in 2003 to provide scholarships to students attending HBCUs. ASU was one of two universities to receive the foundation's first scholarship disbursements. Each school received $12,000 to award four $3,000 scholarships to eligible students of their choice over a two-year period. One of the criteria for eligibility required that at least one of the scholarships each year be presented to a student with a disability. The award from the foundation represents an ongoing effort by ASU's Office of Development to partner with new entities to increase scholarship opportunities for the University's students. "This means a great deal for ASU," said Dr. Alfred Smith, interim provost and vice-president for Academic Affairs. "I want to express my full appreciation to the Anne and Willie Foundation for selecting ASU as one of the first recipients of the funds. I'm hoping that ... this will motivate other students." ASU officials presented Miracle Woods and Terence Bradford with scholarships for the 2011-12 academic term during a ceremony held Tuesday, Oct. 25. Woods, a junior English education major from Montgomery, was born with cerebral palsy. She maintains a 3.5 grade point average, and works hard to ensure that others notice her ability - not her disability. "It is really humbling to receive this award," Woods said. "It makes me remember that my work is not in vain - all of the study hours, all the test taking, all of the striving to do the best that I can while here at ASU. I am very appreciative and I just feel lucky." Upon graduating from ASU, Woods intends to pursue a master's degree in education and hopes to teach English. She volunteers much of her time to community service, including the Boys and Girls Club, theatre camps, mentoring programs and other local non-profit organizations. Terence Bradford, a sophomore marketing major from Tarrant, Ala., is the first male in his family to attend college. He hopes the scholarship will motivate him to do even better in school and to set an example for his 12 other male relatives that "school is cool." "This scholarship is actually a second chance for me," Bradford said. "My first year I didn't do as well in the classroom as expected. Although I did pretty well, I didn't do the best I could. Receiving this scholarship was unexpected, and it let me know that I'm not alone. There are people other than myself who want me to succeed." When he graduates from ASU, he plans to pursue an MBA degree. His ultimate goal is to develop an entertainment district in his hometown, contributing to the local economy through employment and increased revenues. Bradford is an active member in his church, serving as the superintendent of Sunday school, head usher and Youth Day chairperson. He volunteers with various youth programs, as well as the Birmingham Division of Youth Services. He is a member of the ASU Golden Ambassadors and he has a 2.9 grade point average. Smith said the University is proud to have the opportunity to present the scholarships to its students. "It is equally a pleasure for me and the University to have these two well-deserved recipients available to receive this scholarship," Smith said. "I also hope that for Miracle and Terence, this will help to show them that the work that they're doing is appreciated. This is indeed an honor not only for them, but also for us as a University." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.