What Happens Here Matters
Invest in Success
Manhattanville gives full scholarship to mark Black History Month
Friday, March 2, 2007
By Mark Lungariello
The Harrison Report
On Feb. 28, to close out Black History Month, Manhattanville College awarded a full four-year scholarship to Lauren Gordon, a Yonkers high school student of African descent.
The scholarship includes full tuition room and board and is contingent on the student maintaining a 3.0 or higher grade point average.
Gordon, a graduating senior, beat out 32 applicants who were required to write an essay describing the importance of the Voting Rights Act. From all of the applicants, three finalists were chosen with the winner being announced at the ceremony. “I was very excited that I was being considered for this,” Gordon said. “It’s a great opportunity to win this.” The Manhattanville student-to-be said she hopes to study psychology and art at the institution. She categorized how the award was a landmark moment in her life so far. “This is probably the best,” she said. Then, after a thought, added more surely, “This is definitely the best.”
The award presentation was part of a program called “Invest in Success: A Partnership for Higher Education.” The day consisted of workshops and a special keynote address by Frank Williams, the executive director of the White Plains Youth Bureau and Chairman of the Deacon Ministry at Bethel Baptist Church. Williams discussed how the up and coming generation of black students needed to carry on the torch of civil action that brought the African American population from bondage to the civil rights movement.
“You all stand on the shoulders of success,” Williams told the crowd of gathered area kids. “You young people stand at the cliff of the promised land.” The speech urged children to make a decision to continue the attitude of civil action and service that shaped America during the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. He told children to be mindful of history and to understand they are presented with opportunities their ancestors in this country did not have. “We’re not far removed from slavery, it’s important that you know how we got to where we are today…
Everyday I live, I’m trying to give back because I’m mindful of those that came before.” Williams’ great-grandfather was a slave in Mississippi; his grandfather who lived until 93 never was able to write his own name. He himself experienced life under the Jim Crow “separate but equal” laws. “For me, it’s personal because I encountered racism and Jim Crow,” Williams said. His life experiences and knowing that his forefathers did not have the same opportunity was a motivating factor for him. “Everyday that you live your
life it has to be about education,” he advised.
The keynote address ended with some life advice. “You’re going to run into obstacles…stay in the race, don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t make it.” Following the speech and presentation, three workshops were held: “Navigating the Scholarship and Financial Aid Process,” “What SAT Prep Can Do for You,” and “Choosing the Right College.”