Black Scholar Awards

University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI 02881

cunnigen@mail.uri.eduPhone: (401) 874-4302

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Black Scholar Awards Program

Past Award Recipients

William Gould Award for All-Around Outstanding Achievement

  2016 Oluwadamilola Animashaun  
2015 Isaura Dos Santos 2014 Jennifer Jackson 2013 Trystan del Tufo
2012 Mecca Smith 2011 Danielle Henderson 2010 Brandon F. Brown
2009 Gessie E. Belizaire 2008 Christian Apollon Kalyanna Champlain 2007 Jenell B. Yates
2006 Nimota A. Solola 2005 Pascale Delaunay 2004 Naomi S. Gobern
2003 Reza Clifton
Cynthia Prudence
2002 Marvens LaPorte Monica Tavares 2001 Patricia Dos Santos
2000 Chantale M. Edouard 1999 Danielle Leigh Hill 1998 Darran Anthony Simon

Arthur L. Hardge Award for All-Around Outstanding Community Service

2016 Kyle Delgado
2015 Gianelle Alba 2014 Kevin Lima 2013 Phyllis J. Dolcy
2012 Gafar Odufuye 2011 Ashley D. Smith 2010 Wayne James Montague, Jr.
2009 Ahyieh Mansue 2008 Aleah Bagwell Moreino 2007 Sharon L. Isom
2006 Nicole Austin 2005 Raydeana Roderick 2004 Andrea D. Hepburn
2003 Alberto DaCruz Shaquila Hazard 2002 Barry O’Connor 2001 Ana P. Semedo
2000 Azikiwe Husband 1999 Marc Hardge 1998 Solomon Comissong

Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Outstanding Leadership & Contribution to the University Community

2017 Andres Brito 2017 Alexia Williams 2016 Temidayo Akinjisola
2015 Matthew Quainoo 2014 Cecelia Igwa-Kaluo 2013 Bisola B. Bruno
2012 Maria L. Beltre 2011 Stephen Larbi 2010 Douglas Tondreau
2009 Sheena Gonsalves 2008 Asad Akinfolarin Michonne Gamble Rivers 2007 Chris Washington
2006 Brian A. Monteiro 2005 Emily M. Hall 2004 Paulo M. Cruz
Thelma Yaniza
Titus Benjamin Wesley
2003 Shawalewa Brown 2002 Laura Santos 2001 Igor S. Garcia
2000 Alissa P. Carroccino 1999 Ibrahim Abdul-Matin 1998 Ebony-Anne Smith

Harvey Robert Turner Award for Outstanding Service to the University of Rhode Island Black Community

2017 Omose Ogala 2017 Solomon Bein 2016 Patrick Correia
2015 Amandine Gatali 2014 Kenny Adfiyiju 2013 Kolman Aloysius Soe
2012 Stephane Andrade 2011 Marquis Jones 2010 Richlieu A. Norris
2009 Brandy O. Derogene 2008 Matthew Lewis
Maye E. Osborne
2007 Iziarah Roberts
2006 Aaron M. E. Gardner 2005 Candace Ranglin 2004 Claudette M. Bannerman
2003 Dorien Agyapon 2002 John C. Cruz 2001 Marlon J. Mussington
2000 Jonathan L. Lewis 1999 Winston Bedell 1998 Nepko Brown

David Edmonds Award for Outstanding Artistic and Creative Expression 

2016 Heebe-Tee-Tse Lee 2015 Kirby Nunez 2012 Antaeus K. Jefferson
2011 Albert B. Coelho 2010 Jason E. Smith 2007 Emily Bibb

Sojourner Truth Award for Scholarly Persistence and Dedication

2017 Benjamin Concepcion 2016 Mirian Hall 2015 Lydia Omoaregba
2013 Annabell Tagoe 2011 Ruth Phillips 2010 Kathy Young
2009 Catalina Gomez 2008 David Bell 2007 Kristie Correia
2006 Caroline O. Freeman 2005 Alex Bien-Aime 2004 Teresa B. Evans
2003 Naomi Love 2002 Nicole Love 2001 Abner Correia
2000 Cal Vinson Whitfield 1999 Celise Craig 1998 Shirley Consuegra

Saint Clair Drake Award for Outstanding Scholarly Research

2017 Dominique Engome Tchupo 2016 Paris McGee
2014 Marcus Allen 2013 Ann Maame Araba Sam 2012 Justin Brown
2011 Eugenio Fernandez Jr. 2010 Omobola Onikoyi 2008 Tanzeem Ajmiri  Victor Gonzalez  Ryan Hughes  Sharon L. Isom  Delvin Johnson  Matthew Lewis  Jacquelyn Moreino  Albert Omijie  Elvis Soriano

Jackie Robinson and Althea Gibson Scholar-Athlete Awards

Robinson Awards

2017 DeAngelo Berry 2016 ARobby Delgado
2015 Sydney Lewis 2012 Anthony Malhoit 2011 Willie V. McGinnis
2010 Lamonte Ulmer Keith C. Cothran 2009 Jeffry C. Martins
Kahiem Seawright
Jason Francis
2008 Adrian Owen
William Daniels
2007 Darrell Harris Laejon Brooks 2006 Robert E. Johnson, IV
Terrence Mack
Tyrese Sullivan
2005 Randy Brooks Reuben Ray
2003 Lazare Adingono 2002 Brackston Poitier 2001 Andrew Wafula   Leroy Womack
2000 Silas Otniel Rodrigues Pinto 1999 Preston Murphy Antonio Reynolds-Dean 1998 John Bennett LaJhon Jones Joshua King Cuttino Mobley

 

Gibson Awards

2017 Aysha Moreino
2016 Brianna Thomas 2012 Marissa Norman 2010 Kehinde Omisore
2009 Chinyere G. Okpara Ashley Roberson TyLynn Graham 2008 Whitney Hollis Safiatu K. Mojidi 2006 Erin Aseli Fleming
2005 Pascale Delaunay 2004 Denise M. King 2003 Gina Rosen
2002 Yatar Kuyateh 2001 Zinobia Machanguana 1999 Martinique Alber

Saint Elmo Brady Award for Outstanding Achievement in Science

2017 Rassoul Diouf
2016 Jasmine Miller 2015 Orrett Douglas-Prawl 2014 Charles Makoka Rushimisha
2013 Syrena Fernandes 2012 Nana Ama Ofei-Tenkorang 2011 John Brito
2010 Omotola Ashorobi
Temiloluwa A. Kusemiju
Faith Tolulope Adewusi
2009 Martha Ofeibea-Tenkorang 2008 Daryl Mensah
2007 Lucelene Almeida 2006 Destiny Woodbury 2004 Demond M. Boseman

Noreen Coachman Award for Outstanding Achievement by an Older Student

2016 Stephanie Howie
2014 Christina Onassis Lewis 2013 Alethea Russell 2012 Mitzie Johnson
2011 Carlene Fiorito 2010 Joy Robinson 2009 Raphael Solawon
2008 Angela Lovegrove 2007 Frantz Medina 2006 Brandy O’Donnell
2004 Barbara J. Ellis 2003 Bryan Barros 2002 Maria L. Sampson

Estes Benson Award for Academic Achievement

2016 Cecelia Haffner Jatta  Koye Idowu
2015 Troy Crawford  Kimberly DeLande 2014 Nilse Dos Santos  Jajaun Wynn 2013 Anthony J. Monroe Amanda Norman
2012 Jillian Marie WinfieldRusbel Perez 2011 Danielle Henderson
Jean Aubourg
2010 Maxwell E. Edmonds Jessica A. Adefusika
2009 Joseph Godfrey Olubukola Babalola 2008 Frederick Arnett II Cynthia Murray 2007 James G. Smart
Chris S. Washington
Amber L. Wells
2006 Kevin Delle Femine Natasha L. Soares 2005 Adilson M. Ribeiro Millie N. White 2004 Sharina Niera Savage Freddie Skipworth
2003 Cynthia Prudence Claudio Rodrigues Kimberly Starks 2002 Babatunde Ologun Joyll Smith 2001 Kimberly Anderson Michael Lyle
2000 Angelica Gomes
John Harris
Wennzdehl Powell
1999 Cheryl Anne Connor
Jose Barbosa
1998 Katrina Douglas
Troy Robinson

Tossie E. Taylor Jr. Community Spirit Award

2017 Casby Harrison 2016 O. Rogeriree Thompson 2015 Jeff Feaster
2014 Carmen Fields 2013 George R. Spivey 2012 James Vincent
2011 Ibrahim Abdul-Matin 2010 David K. Kim 2009 Elizabeth H. Roberts The Underground Railroad
2008 Nicky Sheats 2007 D. Crystal Byndloss 2006 Lisa Churchville
2005 Geraldine S. Hines 2004 Peter F. Hurst, Jr. 2003 Jimmie L. Davis, Jr.
2002 Ambrose Jearld 2001 Jack Reed 1999 Brothers United for Action

Cunnigen Award

2016 Adrian Flowers

Uhuru Sasa Anniversary Award

1999 Uhuru Sasa

Distinguished Service Award 

2009 Dr. Cynthia Hamilton Former Director of the African and African-American Studies Program

ASBS President’s Award

2000 Silas Otniel Rodrigues Pinto
1999 Olajumoke O. Akinrolabu Danielle Leigh Hill
1998 Darran Anthony Simon

Hamilton Scholars

2007 Titilayo C. Fakiyesi
Ruth Laurent
Jolene Octavius
2006 Jacqueline Moreino
Shantae Moreino
2005 Moses Siums

The Young Scholar’s Award 

2001 Dr. Christopher Hunter

Past Speakers 

2017 Mr. Casby Harrison Chief Operating Officer, Harrison Law Offices
2016 Honerable O. Rogeriee Thompson First Circuit Federal Court, Appellate Judge
2015 Jeff Feaster Deputy Dept. Head, Sensors & SONAR Naval Undersea Warfare Ctr.
2014 Carmen Fields Journalist and Television Producer
2013 George Spivey Equity and Affirmative Action Officer for the Town of Falmouth, Massachusetts and the Falmouth Public Schools
2012 James Vincent President, NAACP – Providence Branch
2011 Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, ’99, B.A., M.P.A. Policy Advisor for New York City Mayor’s Office
2010 Dr. David Kyuman Kim Director, Center for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity, Connecticut College
2009 The Honorable Elizabeth H. Roberts Lieutenant Governor, The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
2008 Dr. Nicky Sheats Director of Center for Urban Environment Thomas Edison State College
2007 Dr. D. Crystal Byndloss Assistant Dean for Research Temple University
2006 Ms. Lisa Churchville General Manager and CEO NBC-10, WJAR
2005 The Honorable Geraldine S. Hines Associate Justice Massachusetts Superior Court
2004 Peter F. Hurst, Esquire Chief-Executive-Officer and President Urban Financial Group/The Community’s Bank
2003 Dr. Jimmie L. Davis MITRE, Incorporated
2002 Dr. Ambrose Jearld National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
2001 The Honorable Jack Reed United States Senate
2000 Dr. Robert Carothers President, University of Rhode Island
1999 Dr. John H. McCray Vice President of Student Affairs University of Rhode Island
1998 Dr. Harold D. Bibb Associate Dean of Graduate School University of Rhode Island

Black Scholar Awards Call For Nomination

URI HONORS STUDENTS AT 17TH ANNUAL BLACK SCHOLAR AWARDS

Read the Official News Release

2014 BLACK SCHOLAR AWARDS

Congratulations to all the 2014 BSA recipients!

SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT EUGENIO FERNANDEZ JR. ’13

May 6, 2013- Balancing four majors would make most students wince, but Eugenio Fernandez Jr. found a way to do just that, while still enjoying his college years at the University of Rhode Island. Fernandez will graduate with a doctor of pharmacy degree, master of business administration, bachelor's degree in biology, and a bachelor's degree in psychology. Oh, and he is also fluent in Spanish. ...Read the article...
MEET MORE SCHOLARS...

IN THE NEWS

URI Grad Students Marry

Bryana White and Marc Hardge
Bryana White, a URI Psychology Ph.D. candidate, was married to Marc Hardge, a URI English graduate student and '99 Hardge Award recipient, at the Johnson and Wales Inn, Seekonk, Massachusetts on December 29, 2011.


Booker Urges Class of 2011 to Stand Tall

Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Bookerdelivered an inspiring message to graduates as the 2011 URI commencement speaker. Read the full story

PAST AWARD CEREMONIES









BSA NAMESAKES

Who is... Noreen Coachman?

Bryana White and Marc Hardge She earned a bachelor's degree from URI in 1973, and an M.D. from Brown University Medical School in 1984. Before her death at a young age from cancer, she was a staff physician in radiation oncology at Roger Williams Medical Center and a clinical instructor at Brown University. As a recipient of the American Cancer Society's Clinical Oncology Award, she specialized in radiation therapy for locally advanced prostate cancer and in combined modality treatment with chemotherapy in locally advanced head, neck, and pancreatic cancers.

William Gould?

Bryana White and Marc Hardge His great-grandfather (also William Gould) escaped slavery in 1862 by rowing to a Union gunboat patrolling off the coast of Wilmington, NC. William Gould IV (Class of '58), has written a book about this and other exploits. Read more...

Reverend Arthur Hardge?

Bryana White and Marc Hardge He was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, arrested and jailed in Florida for refusing to leave a restaurant reserved for whites and later becoming the first black man in Rhode Island to head a state agency. Read more...

Harvey Robert Turner?

Bryana White and Marc Hardge He was the first Black graduate of the University of Rhode Island in 1914. He majored in civil engineering and was a member of the football and track teams. The 1936 alumni directory listed his occupation an assistant treasurer of Prairie View State College in Texas.

Estes Arnathia Benson?

Bryana White and Marc Hardge Estes Arnathia Benson (1956-1997) was a cum laude graduate in the class of 1978 at the University of Rhode Island. At the University, he starred in football. He received the Fifth Quarter Club Scholar Athlete Award. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. After graduating, he studied at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Subsequently, he received a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University. Believing that work and travel were essential to his pursuit of knowledge; Estes spent a year in Israel on a kibbutz; a year in the Gulf of Mexico on an oil rig; and several years in various management positions in a variety of businesses, including providing affordable housing for inner-city residents. An actor and writer, he appeared in University productions, New York City Showcase Theatre, and Rhode Island Committee for the Humanities Legacy Series. He was the author of the Legacy drama, “Fighting to be American: Rhode Islander in the Civil War." As a volunteer throughout New England, he presented educational activities on drug and alcohol abuse to young people.

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