Correction appended
This post was written by Hatchet staff writer Tiana Pigford
DeLante Fludd walked into his high school’s gymnasium Wednesday to find cheerleaders, a crowd of students and University President Steven Knapp, who came to offer him a full-ride scholarship to GW.
Knapp, along with GW Director of Admissions Karen Felton, awarded Fludd one of eight Stephen Joel Trachtenberg scholarships that cover full cost of attendance for four years at the University. He is the fourth Thurgood Marshall High School senior to receive the award.
Felton and Knapp called the event “the best day of the year,” and were joined by faculty members, the students’ families and past recipients. The University’s mascot tagged along as well to pass out GW gear at the six high schools across the District.
The scholarship fund has committed more than $16.5 million to students in D.C. charter, public and private high schools. Recipients of the renewable award have about a 90 percent graduation rate.
Leslie Ogu, another recipient and McKinley Technology High School student, said the scholarship was a “personal gain,” and would open doors to the GW Law School, ranked 21st in the nation.
Knapp said handing out the scholarships, named after his predecessor as University president, is “the best part of my job.”
Charleene Smith, another McKinley student, was expecting to give a presentation on biotechnology Wednesday, but was cut off when Knapp arrived to give her the more than $200,000 scholarship.
The Class of 2017 awardees hope to pursue careers in neurosurgery, acting, business, photography and veterinary science, according to a release.
The University launched the program in 1989 and has handed out the scholarship to 140 D.C. students, basing the selection on class rank, grade point average, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations and involvement in service and extracurricular activities.
This post was updated March 21, 2013 to reflect the following:
The Hatchet incorrectly referred to DeLante Fludd, a male, as a female. We regret this error.
