Freshmen Jasmine Henderson, left, Troy Boyd and Latanya Gordon have each received a Willie C. Fleming Scholarship to attend Appalachian State University. The scholarship honors an Appalachian alumnus and former administrator who helped lead the university’s efforts to diversify its student population. (Photo by Marie Freeman)
BOONE—The inaugural Willie C. Fleming Scholarship has been awarded to three freshmen at Appalachian State University.
They are Troy Boyd of Stanley, Latanya Gordon of Fayetteville and Jasmine Henderson of Charlotte. Each has received a $1,000 scholarship.
Boyd is a graduate of East Gaston High School. He plans to major in communication with a concentration in electronic media/broadcasting.
“I chose Appalachian State University because of the sense of community that I observed on the campus and also because I like the town of Boone,” Boyd said. “I am grateful that I was selected to receive the Fleming Scholarship.”
Gordon is a graduate of South View High School. She plans to major in psychology with a concentration in natural science.
“Appalachian was the place where I felt the most welcomed when I visited,” Gordon said. “Everyone, especially my admissions counselor, made sure that I was aware of everything that Appalachian had to offer. The Willie C. Fleming Scholarship was an unexpected blessing but one that I am very thankful to receive. This scholarship has enabled me to attend college without the constant financial anxiety that I thought would plague me.”
Henderson graduated from Harding University High School. She plans to major in apparel design and merchandising.
“I chose Appalachian because of the university’s great academic reputation and the beauty of the campus,” she said. “I am grateful for the Fleming Endowment Scholarship because it is a great resource that will allow me to fulfill my dreams and aspirations.”
The Fleming Scholarship was established to support qualifying freshmen who demonstrate a desire to promote cultural diversity and demonstrate verifiable need. The scholarship is renewable upon satisfactory academic achievement. It was established in part with a $250,000 grant from Wells Fargo in addition to contributions from the university’s black student population, alumni and members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Fleming is an Appalachian alumnus and a former minority student advisor and director of African-American Students, founder of the Appalachian Gospel Choir and the Black Student Association, and a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association. Fleming also was instrumental in bringing Black Greek Life to Appalachian and was a charter member of the Pi Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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