Scholarships
Scholarship recipients are selected on a competitive basis.
The application deadline is TBD for 2023.
2022 Scholarship Awardees
Marguerite K. Gooden
The Marguerite K. Gooden Scholarship recognizes the tireless work of Marguerite Gooden who was a dedicated educator in the Lansing Public Schools for over 30 years. Mrs. Gooden received her B.S. in Sociology from Prairie View State University and M.A. in History from Michigan State University. Upon earning her graduate degree, Mrs. Gooden taught at Walter French Junior High School and J. W. Sexton High School. She served the Lansing School District from September 1, 1956 to June 15, 1984. Mrs. Gooden loved teaching mathematics and science and always desired to see more students pursue these disciplines in college.
Applicant Criteria:
1. African American female graduating senior enrolled at J.W. Sexton High School.
2. Low-income (based on family household income) and first-generation college student.
3. Minimum GPA 2.5.
4. Pursue a STEM major in college.
5. Applied and accepted to an accredited two or four-year college or university.
Clara Betty Anderson
The Clara Betty Anderson Scholarship was established in honor of Mrs. Anderson’s work and dedication to the field of nursing and healthcare. Mrs. Anderson earned her Master’s degree in Nursing Education from the University of Chicago and Master’s degree in Special Education from Michigan State University. Her nursing career in the Lansing area began at St. Lawrence Hospital as an Assistant Director of Nursing Education. She worked as an In-Service Director and Staff Nurse at Sparrow Hospital until her retirement in 1983. Mrs. Anderson joined the Lansing School District in 1960 as a teacher for hospitalized children. She taught home-bound children and math to 7th through 9th graders and worked as a part-time school nurse until her retirement from the district in 1984.
Applicant Criteria:
1. Minimum GPA 2.5.
2. Pursue nursing or a healthcare-related major in college.
3. Applied and accepted to an accredited two or four-year college or university.
The HBCU Scholarship supports a Lansing area high school student who has applied and been admitted to a Historically Black College or University. HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents. These institutions train young people who go on to serve domestically and internationally in the professions as entrepreneurs and in the public and private sectors.
Applicant Criteria:
1. Minimum GPA 2.5.
2. Applied and accepted to an accredited Historically Black College or University.
Dorothy A. Kennedy and L. Margaret Groves
The Dorothy Kennedy & L. Margaret Groves Keepers of the Dream Scholarship is through the Educational Advancement Foundation, a 501(c)3 entity of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Groves, along with 11 other accomplished women, chartered Delta Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. on December 17, 1947. They both held influential and leadership positions in the chapter. Mrs. Kennedy remained active until her passing in 2013; Mrs. Groves continues to be an active member of the chapter.
Applicant Criteria:
1. Demonstrates leadership skills, community service and/or civic engagement.
2. Minimum GPA 3.0.
3. Applied and accepted to an accredited two or four-year college or university.
Dr. Olivia Letts
The Dr. Olivia Letts Commitment to the Dream Scholarship is through the Educational Advancement Foundation, a 501(c)3 entity of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Dr. Olivia Letts held the distinction of being the first African-American teacher hired in the Lansing School District on September 1, 1951. Through hard work and perseverance, Dr. Letts was promoted to principal at Lincoln School in 1961, making her the first African-American principal in the Lansing School District. She was a dedicated District employee for nearly 34 years, retiring as the Director of Elementary Education on June 28, 1985.
Applicant Criteria:
1. Demonstrates community service skills and civic engagement.
2. Minimum GPA 2.7.
3. Graduating high school senior from a Lansing school.
4. Applied and accepted to an accredited two or four-year college or university.
General Scholarships
In addition to the above-named scholarships, the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Inc. will work with the Delta Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to award at least two general college scholarships each year. These scholarships are not tied to specific college major/academic interest or institutional type (i.e. HBCU). Scholarship recipients are recognized annually at the Senior Salute and Scholarship event.
Applicant Criteria:
1. Minimum GPA 2.5.
2. Applied and accepted to an accredited two or four-year college or university.
Scholarship recipients are selected on a competitive basis.
The application deadline is TBD for 2023.