The event showcased a broad range of student talent and achievement including a poem by Quartez Harris; a heart-warming rendition of “America the Beautiful” by Paul Douglas, and several selections from the African American Voices Gospel Choir who helped set the tone of the ceremony with an stirring performance of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.”
A major highlight of the evening was the celebration of the academic achievements of the student recipients of the 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, an award established in 1970 by the Pinedale-Rochdale Student Fund and maintained through the contributions of faculty and staff through Ohio State’s Campus Campaign. The MLK Memorial Scholarship recognizes a select few of Ohio State’s most academically talented African American undergraduates. Before a group 1500 faculty, staff, students, community members, family and friends, these students were honored for their comprehensive excellence in academics, leadership and service.
Mrs. Shannon Gonzales-Miller, Director of Scholarship Services in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, introduced the 2011 class of MLK Memorial Scholars. She spoke of the scholars’ ability to “successfully navigate the academic rigors of their selected majors, earn numerous academic honors; enrich the campus environment with their leadership; and, unselfishly serve the university and Columbus community with countless hours of community service all while earning an impressive median GPA of 3.567 on a 4.0 scale.”
Indeed, many of the students have made use of the services provided by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, including our financial aid services and pipeline programs. These students have exemplified the Office of Diversity and Inclusion motto of “Excellence through Diversity.” As Gonzales-Miller boasts, “Their contribution in their classrooms, organizations and internships is where they crossed cultural, academic, and class expectations. Their openness and acceptance of change and challenge along with their personal effort of discipline, sincerity and commitment transformed expectations in multiple places within the university, outside the university and abroad. These students represent the best of Ohio State’s community of scholars.”
2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Award Recipients
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Samuel Boakye Originally from the Ashanti region of Ghana, Samuel moved to Columbus where he graduated from Westerville South High School. He is a senior enrolled in the College of Pharmacy studying Medicinal Chemistry and Biochemistry. Samuel is currently a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and has served as a student instructional assistant for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, tutoring individuals and groups in General Chemistry. He also worked fulltime as a research assistant the summer of 2009 with the College of Pharmacy where he participated in research with a focus on synthesizing organic molecules to test their anti-carcinogenic properties. In addition to conducting research, he presented his work at research group meetings in the department. While maintaining his commitment to his academics, Samuel was employed as a Resident Advisor his sophomore and junior year where he was responsible for 42 freshmen—a time consuming responsibility.
Samuel will earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry spring 2011. He is on schedule to graduate with the Honors distinction of magna cum laude. Following the completion of his undergraduate work, Samuel plans to pursue a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry with Ohio State’s College of Pharmacy.
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Jasmine Bowie
Jasmine, originally from Youngstown, Ohio, moved to Columbus where she attended and graduated from Groveport Madison High School. Jasmine is a senior enrolled in the College of Social and Behavior Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences where she is majoring in Psychology. In addition to time spent studying, Jasmine volunteers at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Homework Help Center; with the Girl Scouts of America; and the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus mentoring elementary and middle school students. Jasmine also volunteers for Ohio State’s African American Heritage festival, is a member of Ohio State’s Psychology club, NAACP organization, and the Black Student Association. Her leadership activities include her role as Corresponding Secretary and Vice President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Ohio State chapter).
Jasmine will graduate spring 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and is on track to graduate with the Honors distinction magna cum laude. Following graduation she plans to pursue a master’s and doctorate in school psychology at Ohio State where she would like to work with low-income school systems in an effort to bridge the educational disparities faced by many underprivileged youth.
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Japheth is a senior from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where he attended Oklahoma Academy High School. He is enrolled in the College of Engineering majoring in Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering. Japheth is the Regional Secretary for the National Society of Black Engineers and in 2010 was Ohio State’s chapter President for the National Society of Black Engineers. He volunteers as a tutor for the College of Engineering’s Minority Engineering program and is the student representative for the College of Engineering’s Quarters to Semesters task force. He worked and interned for Proctor & Gambles’ Chemical plant as a Glycerin and Surfactant Making Process Engineer and as a Cost Engineer in their Fabric and Homecare division. He serves as the Proctor and Gamble’s on-campus ambassador here at Ohio State. Japheth received the prestigious Edward “Beanie” Drake Student Leader Scholarship his freshman year and last year was linked into the highly coveted, competitive and celebrated Sphinx Senior Class Honorary.
Japheth is on schedule to graduate spring quarter 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Bimolecular and Chemical Engineering from the College of Engineering. Following graduation he will immediately begin his professional career as an engineer with Proctor and Gamble at their headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Brian Sherman, Jr.
Brian is from Columbus, Ohio where he attended Gahanna Lincoln High School. He is a senior majoring in Finance where he is enrolled in the Fisher College of Business. Brian is a program facilitator for Student Leader Advocates, the General Manager for College Mentors for kids, the treasurer for the Ohio State Sportsmanship council, a member of the National Association of Black Accountants and a member of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s Todd A. Bell Resource Center on the African American Male Leadership Institute. He was a finalist for the Edward S. “Beanie” Drake Student Leadership Award and participated in Proctor and Gamble’s Sophomore Leadership Immersion program. Brian was selected to participate in a 6-day national leadership institute known as LeaderShape. The summer of 2010 he attended the Audencia School of Management in Nantes France.
Brian will earn a Bachelor Science in Business Administration from the Fisher College of Business spring 2012 where he is on schedule to graduate with the Honors distinction cum laude. After graduation he plans to pursue employment with a Fortune 500 Company in corporate finance.
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Anwar is from Columbus, Ohio where he attended Columbus Alternative High School. He is a senior majoring in Operations Management and Finance in the Fisher College of Business. Anwar is a member of the Undergraduate Business Administrations Honors Cohort program, received the Kellogg’s Corporate Citizen Scholarship and is a member of the International Honor’s Society of Beta Gamma Sigma. He serves as the Vice President for the Council of Black Students in Administration where he’s been a member since 2008. He is the undergraduate student representative for the Fisher College of Business’ Diversity Committee. Anwar was a Planning Intern with DSW and an Operations Intern for Giant Eagle.
Anwar plans to graduate spring 2012 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the Fisher College of Business. He is on schedule to graduate with the Honors distinction magna cum laude. After graduation he plans to pursue a Jurist Doctorate at the University of Chicago.
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Jamica is from Dayton, Ohio where she attended Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. She is the first in her family to attend college. She is majoring in Dental Hygiene in the College of Dentistry where she is one of two African Americans students in her cohort. Jamica was a member of the 2010 African American Heritage Festival Kick-Off Committee that involved interacting with local elementary school students to raise awareness about African American history. She currently serves as a dental hygiene clinician where she advocates for improving oral hygiene care. She volunteers for the American Red Cross’s African American Diversity Coalition where she works to emphasize the importance of donating blood to help people with sickle cell anemia. She also volunteers for the College of Dentistry’s Community Outreach program to educate children and senior citizens about proper oral care. Jamica serves as a College Advocate at the Frank W. Hale, Jr. Black Cultural Center where she interacts with prospective high school students.
Jamica will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from the College of Dentistry spring 2011. This first generation college student is on track to graduate with the Honors distinction cum laude. Upon graduation this spring she plans to attend Dental school to earn a Doctorate in Dental Science. She is considering Ohio State, Mehary and Howard for Dental School.
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