AU hosts the 20th annual Black Scholar Recognition Program
Lynthia Ross received both her bachelor’s degree in communications and master’s degree in public administration from Augusta University in 2003 and 2006. At top of page, Ross embraces Carter Hill, a student from Westminster Schools of Augusta. (photo by Rakiyah Lenon)
By Rakiyah Lenon | Editor in chief
Augusta University hosted the annual Black Scholar Recognition Program recognizing 84 high-achieving Black students from 31 high schools in the CSRA at the Maxwell Theatre on Feb. 13.
The recognized students from these schools and their families gathered to celebrate their outstanding academic achievements. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Black Scholar Recognition Program.
Students and families gathered to recognize their academic achievements in the Maxwell Theatre on Feb. 13. (photo by Rakiyah Lenon)
Lynthia Ross, communications and policy strategist for the Richmond County school system, was the keynote speaker at the event. Ross is an alumna of AU and served on the university’s alumni board several years ago.
“My path to Augusta University, then Augusta State University, was through my mother,” she said. “It was the best decision for me actually. I graduated with an undergraduate degree in communications from here in 2003 and in 2006, I completed a master’s in public administration,” she said.
She encouraged students to hold on to key ideas as they continue school. “Be loving. Be patient. Be brave. Be humble. Be inspired and uplifted. And be yourself,” she said.
Attendants received a student greeting from Tyler Guy, a first-year psychology major at AU. He told students about his search for universities in high school described Augusta as the perfect city for him to attend college. Guy, who is originally from Macon, Ga., is part of the African American Male Initiative program campus.
“AAMI is an organization housed within the Multicultural Student Engagement office that provides a space for black male first-year students at the university to be mentored by other black male students who are further along in their career here at the university,” he said. “AAMI was truly helpful in a variety of different ways. It actually helped me make my first friend group in college.”
Class of 2026 psychology major Tyler Guy welcomed students and shared his advice on how to have academic success. (photo by Rakiyah Lenon)
Susan Davies, the vice president of enrollment and student affairs, also congratulated the students and their families for their accomplishments. She also encouraged the students in attendance to consider choosing AU in their future academic paths.
“We are the university that delivers the best return on investment for what you invest in your tuition and fees and what is returned to you in terms of a career and job placement after college,” she said.
Contact Rakiyah Lenon at rlenon@augusta.edu
This story is published in the Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 print edition of The Bell Ringer on page 3.
