The Valley Chronicle - San Jacinto Valley natives receive Founders’ Sc

[caption id="attachment_5886" align="alignright" width="576"] Photo courtesy of Southern University
Southern University Alumni Los Angeles Chapter Scholarship Committee Co-chairs Dyvar Anderson, (far left) and Lois C. Hale, (far right) flank scholarship recipients, (l-r), Makaylah Thompson, Kamren Phillips, Danielle Tolliver, Kamari Harris, Michaela Culbertson and Jasmine Grover during the chapter’s Second Annual, “Jags on the Lawn.”[/caption] ■ Chronicle News Service Two local students received Founders’ Scholarships from Southern University and A&M College. On Aug. 21, the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter’s second annual “Jags on the Lawn” event disbursed $8,000 in Founders’ Scholarships. The event reunited supporters of the Baton Rouge, La. university, the 512-acre flagship campus of the world’s only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) System. But, after the hugs and pictures, Scholarship Chairperson Dyvar Anderson explained why alumni, students and their families gathered at a Los Angeles residence. “Whether we pay it forward financially, support it physically by volunteering our time, or promoting it verbally and encouraging our young people to attend, we all are Southern’s future,” declared the St. Francisville, La., native. Anderson earned a bachelor’s in business management with a minor in computer science in 1984. Local students honored include Makaylah Thompson, of Winchester, and Danielle Tolliver from Menifee. Thompson spent her summer as a caregiver. The therapeutic rehabilitation major received $1,250. Known for her communication and marketing skills, she plans to become a physician. A former Totty Hall residential assistant, Tolliver received $1,500. The nursing major plans to become a neonatal intensive care unit nurse practitioner. Chapter Vice President Douglas Robinson, a Scholarship Committee member who also catered the event, explained why the recipients will continue to excel. “They understand that balancing academic and extracurricular activities helps them change communities.” Robinson, a Columbia, La., native, is a 1998 broadcast journalism graduate of Southern. The students also made a good impression on Scholarship Committee Co-chair Lois C. Hale, a Glenmora, La., native. “This event gave our scholarship recipients a chance to meet each other. Our returning students embraced our first-time students, immediately,” the 1967 education graduate said. Hale is also the chapter’s chaplain. The students also joined the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter’s Mentorship Program. Of the Southern University Alumni Federation’s 49 chapters, only two – the Houston and Los Angeles chapters – have mentor programs. Program Chairperson Alex Wade, a 1988 fine arts graduate of Southern, explained the importance of mentors. “The Houston chapter inspired us to expand our student outreach. Be it academically or socially, the ability to count on people who can assist you when you attend college out of state is vital. You need family. Southern University Alumni Los Angeles Chapter is a family,” Wade, a Compton native, said. Dyvar Anderson echoed Wade’s statements. “I gained two daughters through the Mentorship program. Their giggles as incoming freshmen give me the warm fuzzies.” About Southern University Alumni Los Angeles Chapter Southern University Alumni Los Angeles Chapter’s mission is to financially assist prospective and current Southern University students. Since its founding in 1945, the chapter has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to 100 Southern University students from Southern California and surrounding areas. Its current president is Camille Mayo. Visit Southern University Alumni Los Angeles Chapter at www.sulachapter.org.