WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 17, 2015) – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced the 12 recipients of the 2015 Dennis R. Washington Achievement Graduate Scholarship. Endowed in 2008 and funded by the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, this scholarship provides financial assistance to Alumni recipients of Horatio Alger National and State Scholarships who aspire to obtain graduate degrees.
The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation was established in 1988 by Dennis Washington, chairman emeritus of Horatio Alger Association, and his wife, Phyllis. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $199 million to charitable causes. The Foundation, which supports deserving individuals in an effort to better society as a whole, established its Achievement Graduate Scholarship program to provide financial assistance exclusively to Horatio Alger undergraduate scholarship recipients who are committed to pursuing a graduate degree. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have demonstrated leadership experience, integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. They should also exhibit entrepreneurial and leadership skills and a passion for community service.
“We are proud to continue partnering with Horatio Alger Association to further The Foundation’s mission of supporting programs that empower individuals and give them the tools they need to benefit themselves and society as a whole,” said Dennis Washington, co-founder, the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation and chairman emeritus, Horatio Alger Association. “Horatio Alger Scholars repeatedly demonstrate that their commitment to higher education in the face of adversity motivates them to become better students and better world citizens. We are proud to support these talented young people as they pursue their dreams.”
The following Horatio Alger Scholars will receive up to $90,000 each for a master’s, doctoral or professional degree:
- Nonyerem Acholonu, Temple University School of Medicine, 2011 Franklin Scholar
- Zoe Carr, University of North Florida, 2010 National Scholar
- Leilani Chirino, University of Pennsylvania, 2006 National Scholar
- Amanda Lintelman, Emory University, 2005 Pennsylvania Scholar
- Hector Lucero, University of California, Los Angeles, 2008 California Scholar
- Bryan Ross Lynch, University of Oklahoma College of Law, 2012 Oklahoma Scholar
- Reanna Messer, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, 2011 National Scholar
- Fred Reed III, Union University, 2009 Louisiana Scholar
- Kenneth William Stack, Columbia University, 2010 National Scholar
- Candice Wilson, Stevens Institute of Technology, 2007 Pennsylvania Scholar
- Pioneer Winter, Jacksonville University/White Oak Conservatory, 2006 Florida Scholar
- Jessaca York, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, 2010 Georgia Scholar
For more information about Horatio Alger Association or to apply to one of its scholarship programs, please visit https://scholars.horatioalger.org/.
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About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity and pursue their dreams through higher education. Thanks to their generosity, the Association awards more than $11 million annually in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships across the United States and Canada and provides college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $110 million in college scholarships to more than 22,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.
About Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation:
Founded in 1988, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the major philanthropic organization for The Washington Companies and the Washington family. Funding for the Foundation comes primarily from personal contributions from the Washington Family and profits of The Washington Companies. The Foundation focuses in the areas of education, arts and culture, health and human services, and community service. Since its inception, Foundation giving and the Washington family’s personal contributions and pledges to charitable causes total more than $199 million. The Foundation website is located at dpwfoundation.org.