Students of Jamaican heritage at Howard University receive $80,000 in scholarships

Twenty students of Jamaican heritage at Howard University have been selected to benefit from scholarships totaling $80,000, courtesy of the Jamaican Howard University Affinity Network (JHUAN).

The recipients will each be awarded US$4,000.

Their achievements will be celebrated at the ‘HUes of Blue’ event on September 16.

Advocates behind the initiative

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey P. Marks, a staunch supporter of the scholarship initiative since its inception, will host this year’s event.

The visionary foundation of JHUAN was the brainchild of Howard University’s 17th President, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, in collaboration with Ambassador Marks, aiming to elevate the prospects for Jamaican students at the university.

Giving back to future leaders

Don Christian, the funding chairman of JHUAN, emphasized the importance of alumni support, stating, “As an alumnus, who has benefited greatly from Howard University, it is important that we look for ways to support our academic institutions and pay it forward.”

Christian further lauded Jamaican students for overcoming numerous obstacles to study at Howard.

A growing legacy of support

From its inception in 2018, the scholarship program has awarded a commendable 64 scholarships totaling $254,000.

Notably, 2023 witnessed a 50 per cent spike in scholarship applications, while fundraising has surged an average of 36 per cent annually.

This trend underscores the escalating demand for robust financial backing.

Eligibility and the broader vision

The scholarships predominantly cater to Jamaican-born students or those with Jamaican parentage, maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or above, and full-time enrolment at Howard University.

JHUAN’s upcoming fundraiser, HUes of Blue, aims to accumulate substantial funds to extend its reach and transform more lives.

Joanita Ricketts, JHUAN Scholarship and Mentorship Committee Chair shared the multifaceted support they provide and remains optimistic that early exposure to these resources will equip students for post-college success.