13th Annual Bryan A. Collins
Scholarship Program Recognizes & Honors
Thirteen New Winners for 2019-2020
This Program Has Now Awarded
160 Scholarships Since Its Launch in 2007
NASHVILLE (AP), March 30 – For the 13th consecutive year, a group of the best and brightest students at Tennessee State University (TSU) were awarded Bryan A. Collins Memorial Scholarships.
This scholarship award is given every year to outstanding minority students who demonstrate excellence in leadership and academics in pursuing their college degrees.
The twelve scholarship winners above were recognized and honored at 13th annual Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program hosted on April 7 by the Alpha Theta chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
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The program took place at the Floyd-Payne Campus Center on the TSU campus and attended by close to 70 students, parents and faculty.
Andranice Buford was recognized as a three-time winner of this scholarship. And she led an outstanding group of twelve other scholarship recipients who have demonstrated excellence both in and outside of the classroom.
An unexpected, yet pleasant surprise at this year’s program was a scholarship contribution of $5000.00 presented by Bryan’s fraternity brothers (pictured below), who as students pledged along with him on the Kappa Alpha Psi line known as Kaotik 56.
“It is truly an honor to come back to TSU to support and contribute to our brother Bryan’s program. We all knew him well, loved him and our bond with him will always remain strong and heartfelt. We’re pleased that our contribution will help current TSU students while keeping his memory alive.”
Dr. John Cade, Vice-President, Division of Enrollment Management at TSU and the outgoing Chair of the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Committee was especially excited about this year’s group of winners.
Said Dr. Cade: “For thirteen years, this scholarship program has continued it’s unwavering support of the best and brightest students at TSU as they progress academically and work towards realizing their career dreams.”
Betsy Jackson-Mosley, Director of the Tennessee State University Foundation and the incoming Chair of this program remarked: “I’m honored that this program continues as a tribute to Bryan’s legacy and his impact on our university.
In addition to the students and the men of Kappa Alpha Psi, I’d like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Dr. Darlene Harris-Vasser, Assistant Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship of the TSU Foundation and Martha Mosley in Enrollment Services for their excellent work in supporting this scholarship program.”
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Here’s a close-up look at the
2019- 2020 scholarship winners:
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Andranice Buford…4-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From Southaven, MS…Senior, Business Administration with a 3.5 GPA…Mentor for young girls in Memphis, TN…Volunteer coach for the Cowborettes majorette team…Own clothing line at 15, youngest…Manager at a Walmart at 18…Plans to own a chain of brick & motar clothing and beauty stores. Not just one, but many around the United States…Recommended by Sue Ballard deRuiz, College of Arts & Sciences: “Andranice has a strong desire to succeed, strong commitment to community service and an exceptional work ethic.”
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Briana Dixon…3-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From Southfield, MI…Junior, Human Performance & Sports Science with a 3.2 GPA…TSU Basketball Manager…Michigan Club Vice President…Does modeling…Plans to pursue grad school in chiropractic sciences…Recommended by Coach Brian “Penny” Collins, Head Men’s Basketball Coach: “Briana is my most trusted manager for the Men’s Basketball team. Reliable, hardworking and truly a joy to be around.”
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Autumn George…3-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From Bessemer, AL…Junior, Business Administration with a 3.5 GPA…First Vice President of the NAACP campus chapter…Career Development Center Student Advisory Board…Preston Taylor Ministries Volunteer…Plans to work towards becoming a training and development coach in the HR field…and later branch out and start her own coaching business…According to Charles Jennings, Director of TSU Career Development Center: “Autumn is well-rounded, dedicated and highly regarded by her peers. Provides superb service to clients in her part-time job at the Career Development Center.”
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Zachary Horn…3-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From Birmingham, AL…Junior, Accounting with a 3.4 GPA…Member of Aristocrat of Bands…TSU University Orchestra…Black Engineers of America…Plans to earn his CPA and become a public accountant…Recommended by Larry Jenkins, TSU Asst. Band Director: “Zachary has done an outstanding job as a member of the saxophone section and is an excellent musician. A valued member of the concert band team and has a bright future.”
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Taylor Bailey…2-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From Rockford, IL…Junior, Healthcare Administration with a 3.5 GPA…Volunteers at Hospitals & Nursing homes…Passionate about working with the elderly and plans to be a hospital administrator and obtain his masters degree…Recommended by Albanus Strickland, Director of Campus Center: “Taylor is hard-working, Dependable, self-motivated and will be successful in any career she chooses.”
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Brianna Chapple…2-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From Memphis, TN…Senior, Criminal Justice with a 3.8 GPA…• Student Mentor, Big Brothers Big Sisters…Dream Builders Organization…Redemption Ministry…Plans to pursue a career as a criminal analyst through either FBI or DEA…Recommended by April Terrell, Counselor in the College Initiative: “Brianna is very proactive, motivated and driven. Learns quickly and extremely focused on pursuing her dream of an FBI career.”
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Jailen Leavell…2-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From Louisville, KY…Sophomore, Communications with a 3.2 GPA…• Sophomore Class President, Student Government…Selected as the TSU 2018 HBCU Compeitiveness Scholar for the White House Initive for HBCAs…Member of the Inaugural Leadership TSU Cohort…Tiger Tour Guide Society & Film Club…Plan to enter the network news industry to publicize positive news stories and growth occuring within society…Recommended by Charles Jennings Jr, Director of Career Development Center: “Jailen is well-rounded, all around student leader with a humble disposition and a strong drive to succeed.”
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Zyaeja Warren…2-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From McKeesport, PA…Sophomore, Business with a 3.8 GPA… Supply Chain Management Organization…National Association of Black Accountants…Plans to pursue a career in business with a Fortune 500 company and later open her own business…Recommended by Dr. Aurore Kamssu, Professor of Business information Systems: “Zyaeja is positive, conscientious, easy to work with and a true team player. Leads by example.”
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Jaiden Osborne…First-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From Nashville, TN…Sophomore, Business Administration with a 3.5 GPA…Youth Minister at Trinity Lane Church of Christ…Mentors students after school…Participates in Service Learning Clean Ups on campus…Bible Study Group…Has multiple career plan: wants to develop his own Cruise Line and become a potential General Manager for the Ritz Carlton…and then branch off into become a Real Estate Agent as well…Recommended by Marteda Turner-Oglesby, Advisor in the College of Business: “Jaiden is an excellent student, well-respected among his peers and graciously volunteers his time to give back to the community.”
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Tytianna Reynolds…First-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From Chicago…Sophomore, Education & History with a 3.2 GPA…Member of the Student Tennessee Education Association…Teaching Assistant in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)…Plan to teach middle and high school history. Also plans to teach abroad to those less fortunate…Recommended by Anita Scales, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences: “Tytianna is articulate, dependable, strong leadership skills and great ability to work under pressure.”
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London Roberson…First-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From Marietta, GA…Sophomore, Nursing with a 3.8 GPA… Tutor for Microbiogy…Kings Academy Leadership Program…Running for Mr. Junior 2019…Plans to become a medical nurse in order to make a difference in the lives of other and give back…Recommended by Quincy Avery, Coach at Sprayberry High school: “London is extraordinary leadership skills, team player with strong character.”
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Marvin Rudd…First-time winner of the Bryan A. Collins scholarship…From Memphis, TN…Sophomore, Human Performance & Sports Sciences with a 3.6 GPA…TSU Football Team…Plans to own a physical therapy clinic…Recommended by Antonio Bradford, Asst Coach for TSU Football: “Marvin has been impressive with his enthusiasm, work ethic and positive attitude since he became part of the TSU football team. Reliable, dedicated and eternally upbeat. The ultimate teammate and does his job with enthusiasm.”
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In wrapping up, Francine Pace and Alan Collins, parents of the late Bryan A. Collins, offered the following additional comments on the program:
“We’d like to extend our warm and heartfelt thanks to all of our awesome super-contributors — and especially Pamela Hewitt and Warren Lawson for their unwavering support and generous donations to the scholarship for twelve consecutive years.”
“You have all gone beyond the call of duty to make this program a success!”
Each of the 2019-20 Bryan A. Collins scholars, will receive a $2,500.00 scholarship grant towards their tuition for the upcoming school year.
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If you’d like to contribute to the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program,
you can find more information HERE.
If you’d like to apply for the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program,
you can find more information HERE.