Student, Alumni and Scholar Testimonials

I am honored that I have been chosen as a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholar. With this scholarship, coupled with the Wal-Mart First Generation Scholarship, I was able to successfully pay for my education for the 2007-2008 academic year. This award has provided an opportunity to bring joy and pride to my family by becoming the first in my family to obtain a college degree. Words cannot express how excited and grateful I am for the scholarship awards. Thank you for believing in me.

— Darius Ben-Bella Holmes
Major: Economics
Chicago State University

I am ecstatic and honored to be a Thurgood Marshall College Fund/STARR FOUNDATION Scholar. Without a doubt, this academic award is extremely valuable and is helping to reduce the financial burdens of pursuing of my degrees in Health Sciences with a concentration in Physical Sciences and Foreign Languages. I plan to study abroad in a Spanish speaking country in the summer of 2008 and ultimately, I plan to become a doctor of physical therapy as well as a Spanish translator. I would like to offer my deepest appreciation to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the STARR FOUNDATION for investing in my future.

— Michelle Anne Johnson
Majors: Health Sciences and Foreign Languages
Tennessee State University

As the recipient of the scholarship jointly sponsored by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., I want to thank you so much for considering me worthy of such support. I assure you that these funds will allow me to remain focused on my educational and career goals, and to progress toward fulfilling my goals and dreams.

I will continue my commitment to student and community activities in order to develop my leadership skills and I promise to continue to focus on my education and other opportunities that progress me toward becoming a productive member of society.

— Tracy House
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

As a boy growing up in Mississippi, I was diagnosed with alopecia areata (baldness in patches) at the age of 7 and that event really changed my childhood. However, my childhood health challenge did not change the dream I always had of going to college. In fact, it catalyzed my interest in science and public health. I was awarded a Thurgood Marshall Scholarship in 1995 and the scholarship really allowed me to explore my interest in science.

I give the Thurgood Marshall College Fund credit with helping me to launch my career and achieve all that I have since I was a Thurgood Marshall Scholar attending Alabama A&M University. Today, I hold a master's of Science and Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences. Thurgood Marshall College Fund creates an invaluable opportunity for students to use their talents and acumen to become leaders of America and our global society. Most importantly, the Fund makes it possible for the dreams of people like me to come true.

— Sacoby Wilson, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor
University of South Carolina

I would like to thank the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the scholarship committee for awarding me with a TMCF/GMAC scholarship. It has made a great difference for my family and me in terms of buying books and other necessities for my classes. I am committed to academic excellence in seeing my goal and dream as a social worker fulfilled. With this scholarship, my dream becomes closer each semester. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

— Joyce Rabb Butler
Major: Social Work
Southern University New Orleans

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, faculty, students and staff, we would like to express our appreciation to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund for its recent donation of $6,600. Contributions such as yours enable us to maintain the academic viability and ongoing growth and development of the University. In effect, your contribution is a tangible investment in the future that will be repaid through the achievements of our students are the primary beneficiaries of your support. Your support represents a solid vote of confidence in Lincoln University's mission to educate students who will become productive citizens and dynamic leaders in their professions and in their communities.

— Ivory Nelson, Ph.D., President
Michelle B. Hill, Vice President of Development
Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)