N.C. A&T Announces 2020 Dowdy Scholars Cohort

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 6, 2020) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has announced its newest cohort of Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholars. These 20 academically talented freshmen will join the Aggie family as members of the class of 2024.

This year’s Dowdy Scholars boast an average cumulative GPA of 4.3, a score of 1,352 on the SAT and a 30 on the ACT. On average, these scholars rank in the top 10 percent of their graduating high school classes. Hailing from states including North Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Tennessee and Virginia, they will represent five of the university’s academic colleges: the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics, College of Engineering, College of Health and Human Sciences, and College of Science and Technology.

“Dowdy Scholars demonstrate the pursuit of preeminence in their educational career and personal development,” said Margaret I. Kanipes, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T Honors Program director. “We are proud to welcome them to our campus knowing that what they have accomplished so far is great and what is to come will be even better.”

“We are delighted to welcome this distinguished group of students to our campus this fall,” said Beryl McEwen, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “We have high expectations that the scholars will apply their talents alongside their academically motivated peers and employ the tools and opportunities at their disposal to meet the challenges that await them.”

The scholarship is named in honor of the late Dr. Lewis C. Dowdy, N.C. A&T’s sixth president and first chancellor, and his wife, Elizabeth. He served the university for more than 21 years. The administration building was named for him in 1981, the year after he stepped down as chancellor.

Scholars receive a four-year renewable award that covers tuition and related fees, housing and meals for up to four years. This year’s scholars are listed below in alphabetical order:

• Sullivan Anderson, daughter of Myrtlean Stockdale, is from Chicago. Sullivan will graduate from Jones College Preparatory High School and plans to major in journalism and mass communication with a minor in psychology.
• Edwina Belizaire, daughter of Edese Day and Vilgot Belizaire, is from Mount Vernon, New York. Edwina will graduate from Nellie A. Thornton High School and plans to major in electrical engineering.
• Joseph Bertrand, son of Jason and Tina Bertrand, is from Chicago. Joseph will graduate from Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and plans to major in mechanical engineering.
• Brielle Brown, daughter of Brian and Candace Brown, is from Alexandria, Virginia. Brielle will graduate from West Potomac High School and plans to major in biological engineering with a minor in Spanish.
• Trent Burke, the son of Timothy and Norlisha Burke, is from New Orleans. Trent will graduate from De La Salle High School and plans to major in computer engineering.
• Jonathan Chatman, son of William and Lolita Chatman, is from Raleigh, North Carolina. Jonathan will graduate from Rolesville High School and plans to major in chemical engineering with a minor in Spanish.
• Charles Collins II, son of Charles and Kim Collins, is from Waxhaw, North Carolina. Charles will graduate from Cuthbertson High School and plans to major in nursing.
• Micha’el Davis, daughter of Todd and Ayesha Davis, is from Atlanta. Micha’el will graduate from Nashville School of the Arts and plans to major in management with a concentration in business administration and minor in social work.
• Sierra Franco, daughter of Oba Franco, is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She will graduate from Parkland Magnet High School and plans to major in biological engineering.
• Raven Funderburk, daughter of Leo and Shonda Funderburk, is from Charlotte, North Carolina. Raven will graduate from Olympic High School and plans to pursue a major in biology.
• Myles Jones, son of Mark and Charlene Jones, is from Conyers, Georgia. Myles will graduate from Rockdale Magnet School of Science and Technology and plans to major in kinesiology.
• Jaela Melton, daughter of James and Tara Melton, is from Indianapolis. She will graduate from Lawrence Central High School and plans to major in biology (pre-med) and minor in Spanish.
• Robyn Nelson, daughter of Bruce and Elizabeth Nelson, is from Lithonia, Georgia. Robyn will graduate from Arabia Mountain High School and plans to major in journalism and mass communication (mass media production) and minor in mathematics.
• Nia Russell, daughter of Clifford and Brittan Russell, is from Chicago. She will graduate from Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School and plans to major in psychology with a minor in chemistry.
• Jayla Shoffner, daughter of Adlois and Jerry Shoffner Jr., is from Greensboro, North Carolina. She will graduate from the STEM Early College at N.C. A&T and plans to pursue a biology degree.
• Christian Stewart, son of Todd and Monique Stewart, is from Laurel, Maryland. He will graduate from Eleanor Roosevelt High School and plans to major in management with a focus in business administration.
• Brandon Talla, son of Marianne Talla, is from Bowie, Maryland. Brandon will graduate from Eleanor Roosevelt High School and plans to major in computer science.
• Lauren Thomas, daughter of Rondah and Norman Thomas Jr., is from Conyers, Georgia. She will graduate from Woodward Academy and plans to major in biology with a minor in Spanish.
• Myles White, son of Tonya Cranford and Gregory White, is from Raleigh, North Carolina. He will graduate from Wakefield High School and plans to major in bioengineering.
• Joshua Whitsett, son of Wayman and Tammy Whitsett, is from Gibsonville, North Carolina. He will graduate from Eastern Guilford High School and plans to obtain a degree in accounting.