Future students will soar higher with the Dr. Donald Suggs Scholarship

by Ron Austin | Dec 4, 2016

UMSL's Alan Byrd recently spoke with The St. Louis American about the new scholarship, which aims to attract talented local students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

Donald Suggs (at podium) has supported a range of educational, artistic and community endeavors throughout the years. (File photo by August Jennewein)

A philanthropist, dental surgeon and executive editor of the The St. Louis American, Donald Suggs has forged a special bond with the University of Missouri–St. Louis. In 1993, he was awarded an honorary degree in humane letters, and his history of giving back speaks for itself.

In 1979, Suggs served as a founding member of the Chancellor’s Council, which pursues the mission of building a stronger rapport between the university and the surrounding community. In 2012, he helped raise funds for the Barnett Memorial Plaza.

And now in 2016, he is furthering his commitment to UMSL and its students by introducing the Dr. Donald Suggs Scholarship, an institutionally funded, full-tuition award that aims to attract talented St. Louis students who hail from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

Alan Byrd, UMSL’s dean of enrollment, has worked towards bringing the scholarship to UMSL since 2009. On the heels of a year where the university graduated the largest class of students of color in its history, Byrd hopes the new award will keep momentum moving in the right direction.

“This will remove the financial barriers so they can focus on school and reach their full potential in the classroom,” Byrd told The St. Louis American’s Rebecca Rivas.

“We are trying to develop the scholars into leaders on campus and leaders in the community,” Byrd added. “The scholarship will help us make some good progress on that front. Talented students too often leave our institution due to financial barriers. Now we have another way to offer assistance, and the scholarship is a win-win for us and the community.”

Providing $12,000 towards tuition and fees for 30 credit hours per year, it also includes $1,000 per semester for books and supplies.

For more details and to learn about eligibility and the deadline to apply for the Dr. Donald Suggs Scholarship, see The St. Louis American’s full interview with Byrd or contact Student Financial Aid.