Meter

Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: Campus News

The picture is winner James Bland III(center) along with President of NAFEO, Lezli Baskerville and a representative of Sallie Mae, Denise Chaisson. (Ronald Roach/Diverse magazine)

TSU is now the gracious recipient of a $20,000 prize because of student James H. Bland III.

Bland, a sophomore biology major from Versailles, Ky., was one of four finalist in the 33rd Annual National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education- Sallie Mae Fund "Writers of Passage" Essay Competition held March 13 at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

According to nafeo.org, the essay competition was started to "focus national attention on the importance of developing good writing skills."

After filling out and submitting an application, biography and meeting other requirements, eleven semi finalists were chosen out of more than 200 applicants from around the nation.

The semi-finalists were mandated to read and defend their essays in front of a panel of three judges. The finalists were chosen and Bland was announced the only male winner and the first student from TSU to win such an award.

The four finalists split $100,000, receiving $5,000 to go towards their tuition and books, while their respective universities were granted $20,000 to be used to "improve student outreach and writing enhancement initiatives."

"I knew he would do well," said Robert Hampton, provost and executive vice president. "TSU produces students who do well in all their endeavors."

Bland admits it was his mother who encouraged him to apply for scholarships.

"She sent me the website for another scholarship and after applying for that one I just kept looking and found (NAFEO)," Bland said. "The requirements weren't that demanding and I felt I could do it."

The topic for this year's competition asked students how they planned to personally flex their political muscles and to engage others in the electoral process during the 2008 election process.
Bland feels that by enforcing three simple steps, he may show how important this election is to him. Super Tuesday, Feb 5, was Bland's first time voting and he acknowledged he liked the way he felt afterward.

"I enjoyed doing it and by exercising my right to vote, inspiring others to vote and supporting my vote I will be able to play a major part in who is the next President," he said.

Continued...

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