Columbia, SC –May 21, 2025— Four Benedict College students were selected to participate in the Ambassador Andrew Young Scholarship Program. The program represents a powerful new chapter in leadership development and civil rights education. Benedict scholars Ashley McFadden, Carolyn Shaw, Shekinah Washington and Lyric Drumgoole will make history as a part of an inaugural cohort.
“At Benedict College, we are deeply committed to cultivating leaders who will shape a more just and equitable world,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “The selection of our students for the inaugural cohort of the Ambassador Andrew Young Scholarship Program is a testament to their excellence and the enduring legacy of our institution. We are honored to be part of this transformative initiative that embodies the principles of justice, service, and leadership championed by Ambassador Young and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
This innovative program brings together 35 exceptional students from across the country, equally representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs).
This diverse group of student-leaders hails from nine distinguished institutions, exemplifying the strength and unity of collaboration across communities in pursuit of justice, service, and positive change. Thanks to a generous donation and the support of Anderson University, all program fees have been waived for this inaugural year, ensuring accessibility and inclusion at every level.
The Ambassador Andrew Young Scholarship program is designed to offer more than just academic enrichment. Under the guidance of Dr. Matt Daniels and Mr. AJ Jones, fellows will engage in transformative learning experiences that challenge them to apply core principles to real-world action.
“This program is more than a scholarship—it’s a movement,” said organizers. “We are honored to work with such passionate students and committed institutional partners. Together, we are building a future grounded in Dr. King’s values of justice, peace, and leadership through service.”
As the program concludes, participating institutions are encouraged to share student reflections and feedback. This collective insight will help shape the Ambassador Andrew Young Scholarship Program into an ever-evolving, impactful experience for future cohorts.
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About Benedict College (www.benedict.edu)
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 29 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from several counties in South Carolina, states across America, and countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. Benedict College is the recipient of the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award given by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Program in celebration of an HBCU that achieved next-level performance. Benedict was also named HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest and was listed among the top half of ranked HBCUs in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges by US News and World Report.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
