Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Dinner Raises Record $1.4 Million

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Dinner Raises Record $1.4 Million

NEW YORK
Defying the odds in these tough economic times, the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund raised a record $1.4 million at its 14th Anniversary Awards Dinner, held at the Sheraton New York last month.
Income from the dinner was reported to be 60 percent ahead of that raised by last year’s dinner, according to Miller Brewing Company President John Bowlin who said the successful event places the fund well on its way to meeting its goal of $10 million for 2001. Bowlin is co-chair of the fund’s annual campaign.
“My father had three passions: family, law and education,” said John Marshall, son of the late Supreme Court judge after which the fund is named. “He viewed education as an investment in this nation’s future.”
James K. Clifton, chairman and CEO of the Gallup Organization who led the fund’s dinner committee, thanked his corporate peers for their investment in furthering Marshall’s vision and legacy by supporting the fund. “Kids need cash,” he told the capacity crowd.
Thurgood Marshall Scholarship recipients Elaine H. Wynn, a recent graduate of Howard University School of Law, and Adrienne E. Anderson, a senior at Cheyney University offered thanks on behalf of all 500 of the 2001 scholarship recipients. Wynn, who delivered heartfelt remarks at last year’s dinner, reported that the support she received from TMSF not only allowed her to finish law school, but paved the way for her to fulfill another dream, that of living in Manhattan. She currently works at the New York law firm of Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler.
Anderson, the youngest of her parents’ eight children, explained that her dream to attend college was nearly thwarted when her father died while she was still a teenager. Prayer, student loans, the support of her family and a Thurgood Marshall scholarship enabled her to attend Cheyney, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA and is scheduled to graduate next spring. “Obstacles appear when you take your eyes of your goal,” she said. 
Among this year’s leadership award recipients were Charles M. Cawley, chairman and CEO MBNA America Bank, who received the Corporate Leadership Award; Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert, who received the Education Leadership Award; and Earl G. Graves, chairman and publisher, Black Enterprise, recipient of the Alumni Leadership Award. 

— Cheryl D. Fields

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