$50,000 Endowment Established by Alpha Phi Alpha Theta Upsilon Alumni Association
JONESBORO – A newly established scholarship endowment at Arkansas State University has been created by the Alpha Phi Alpha Theta Upsilon Alumni Association.
“The scholarship was established to honor and memorialize the official founding date, founding members, advisers, and current members of Theta Upsilon Alumni Association,” said retired Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, 1976 alumnus of Alpha Phi Alpha and A-State.
The scholarship will provide $1,000 a year, $500 per semester, to a couple of selected students.
“It’s important that every individual have the opportunity for quality higher education,” added Chris Toler, alumnus of Alpha Phi Alpha and A-State.
Qualifications for selection include the student be a minority male, a sophomore with 30 credits or more, a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, proof of having provided community service, and a financial need.
“Hopefully our scholarship helps encourage individuals to pursue their education without the financial burden or stress that comes with that pursuit,” said Toler.
The $50,000 endowment was a collective donation of the members on behalf of Alpha Phi Alpha.
“The scholarship effort was the brainchild of Dr. Marvin Cain Alexander, class of 2006, with hopes of stamping an everlasting presence on the changing student body,” added Toler.
He said the initial goal of $25,000 was surpassed when they decided this would be a great way to honor their 50th anniversary of the fraternity being part of the A-State campus.
Toler said the largest portion of the endowment came from Granger with about 25 other members who graduated between 1973 and 2023 donating $1,000 each.
The support for this endeavor from other members has been unbelievable, Granger added.
"I am extremely proud to be a member of the team that raised the funds for this endowment," said Adrian Everett, director of the A-State Multicultural Center and member of Alpha Phi Alpha.
“A-State means a place of friendship, a haven for individuals that meet to become a community with the purpose of growing their own full potential to enact positive change on the world,” added Toler.
He said he has many great memories of his time at A-State.
“I enjoyed the beauty of college life at A-State, which at that time had a total student body of approximately 7,000 students at the main campus, of which more than 200 were African Americans,” he added.
For Toler, his most vivid memory is from his fraternity probate performance at the annual Black and Gold Pageant.
“It was the performance that introduced me and my line brothers to the campus as newly initiated members of the fraternity. We were draped in black and gold tuxedos in front of a sellout crowd,” said Toler.
They now hope to help future students make memories that will last a lifetime.
"I look forward to awarding this scholarship to many A-State students," added Everett.
The endowment presentation will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter Scholarship Brunch.
Anyone who wishes to contribute to the fund to help future A-State students may do so through the Arkansas State University System Foundation. Gifts can be made online through the university website.
Additional information about this and other endowment opportunities at A-State is available through the Office of Development, 870-972-3940 or Development@AState.edu.
