Grambling State University junior business management major DeVante Jackson was excited to get news that the Tom Joyner Foundation awarded him a Hercules Scholarship Thursday, Sept. 26.
”The scholarship is a blessing to me and a token of appreciation from God,” exclaimed Jackson, 20, of Delhi, La. “This means hard work really does pay off.”
Jackson, who has a 3.74 GPA, is a member of a local chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success and a member of the university’s Management Club.
He said his motivation stems from his family. He lost his mother when he was two years old, and he was raised by his grandparents.
”I try my best to make everyone proud, especially my grandparents. They’re the reason I am where I am today,” said Jackson.
“My mother didn’t have a chance to accomplish the things she wanted to do to make them happy.”
rambling State is the foundation’s September school of the month.
Jackson is the fourth of four Grambling State students to be awarded a $1,500 scholarship this month. The foundation has raised more than $60 million to help Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students access more scholarships and stay in school.
Scholarship recipients must be males attending an HBCU of the month, have strong community and leadership skills and have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
arlier this month the foundation awarded scholarships to sophomore Pierre L. Moore, 19; junior Lionel Kilolonyuy-Sandjong, 22, and senior Kelly Hall, 21.
Founded in 1998, the foundation is helping Grambling State University’s September scholarship efforts asking friends and supporters to contribute at http://www.tomjoynerfoundation.org.