Greetings to all my fellow Louisiana Tech alums! On November 4 at 11:00 a.m., a new scholarship was launched at your university. The scholarship, named the Potts-Robinson Scholarship, was named after the first two African-American students to attend Louisiana Tech. You can find their story below as well as a link to donate at the end. All monies will go directly to African-American students at Tech, and your donations are tax deductible. I am asking all African-American graduates to pledge $25 per month for three years. This small pledge will generate a minimum of $300,000 per year. Please consider and make your pledge today. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at (318) 257-2067. Please pass this information on to others that may not be receiving this email.
The Louisiana Tech Office of Multicultural Affairs has created a scholarship to honor the legacy of the first male and female African-American students to attend Louisiana Tech.
James Earl Potts was admitted to Louisiana Tech in the spring of 1965, followed by Bertha Bradford-Robinson a few months later. Potts, a native of Quitman, Louisiana, and Bradford-Robinson, a native of Jonesboro, Louisiana, helped blaze a path for 28 African-American students who would enroll at Louisiana Tech in the fall of 1965.
By 1968, African-American students were represented in every department on the campus. Bradford-Robinson earned her degree in early childhood education from Louisiana Tech in 1976. Of the new scholarship, Ms. Bradford-Robinson said "I am deeply honored and grateful to have a scholarship in my name at my undergraduate alma mater, Louisiana Tech University."”" James Earl Potts passed away in 2002, but his daughter Toimiken L. Potts said "I just want to express my heartfelt gratitude for acknowledging my father's work to help bring equality to Louisiana Tech...once again thank you, thank you, thank you!"
You can donate today to the Potts-Robinson Scholarship Fund and support educational opportunities for minority students attending Louisiana Tech. Through its TECH 2020 strategic plan, Louisiana Tech is committed to a diverse student community and multi-cultural learning programs and opportunities. By committing $25.00 a month for three (3) years, you will directly impact the legacy of Ms. Bradford-Robinson and Mr. Potts.
If you have questions, please contact Jimmy Washington at jwashington@latech.edu or by phone at 318.257.2067.
Jimmy Washington
318.257.2067
jwashington@latech.edu
