Sasha Wright is on track to graduate in May.
Photo courtesy of Sasha Wright
“She epitomizes what a FAMU student is. She is the most devoted and hardest working student that I’ve seen in several years and stands out among the many I’ve encountered in my 40 years of doing this,” said Henry Talley, dean of the School of Nursing at Florida A&M University.
His words are some of many shared by prestigious faculty and staff who came together to support the accomplishments of Sasha Wright, a senior nursing major at FAMU and the first recipient of the David E. and Mary J. Pollard Endowed Scholarship.
Wright, who is set to graduate in May 2019, is the eldest of 10 children and a role model to many. Her display of great leadership, academic excellence and a compassion for giving back are what ultimately made her story stand out, making her the beneficiary of the award.
Hailing from Gadsden County, Wright, with the help of her grandparents, had committed to a 45-minute commute to attend the university. While they have been vigilant about insuring the distance wouldn’t put a strain on her academic career, Wright admits that the journey to obtaining her degree would’ve been at a standstill if she did not receive this award. “This scholarship is really what’s keeping me on track to graduate,” Wright said.
Stephanie L. Foster, who in partnership with her family came together to pay homage to her parents and a place that is special to them, presented the scholarship.
“I believe that money shouldn’t be a barrier for anyone to be able to fulfil their promise as a scholar,” Foster said after presenting the award to the university’s president, Larry Robinson, in Lee Hall on behalf of Wright.
Foster described Wright’s story as moving. So much so, that they felt that it was only right that the scholarship be presented in person. “I just had to meet her.”
The scholarship will provide mentorship in the recipient’s respected field and cover all tuition cost for her senior year in college. The scholarship is only available to Florida residents and those in STEM and teaching majors.
Foster and her family can’t wait to see how this legacy left by the late David E. and Mary J. Pollard continues to grow at their alma mater.