Alumni
B.S., Industrial and Systems Engineering (Minor: Business), Virginia Tech 2006
Juris Doctor, Law, University of New Hampshire School of Law (formerly known as Franklin Pierce Law Center), 2009
- The first African-American to be appointed as Chief Justice of the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Honor System.
- Mentored first year female and African-American engineering students.
- Actively involved with the National Society of Black Engineer’s Pre-College Initiative program for high school students in southwest Virginia.
While attending law school Ms. Spruill was:
- An active member in her local Black Law Students Association (BLSA) chapter and served on a committee dedicated to the retention of minority students at her law school.
- During the 2008-2009 academic years, she served as the Northeast Black Law Students Association (NEBLSA) Regional Secretary and was awarded the honor of Most Outstanding NEBLSA Executive Board Member.
Since graduating from law school Ms. Spruill has worked for the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Duke University’s Duke Clinical Research Institute and MedStar Health’s MedStar Health Research Institute, Inc. At the present, she is a Grants and Contracts Manager for a multi-million dollar NIH/NIAID research contract at Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
B.S., Sports Medicine (Minor: Chemistry), Howard University 2009
- Vice President and President of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars
- Secretary and Vice President of the Howard University Ohio Club
- Howard University Alumni Association of Cleveland Fundraising Coordinator
- Volunteer with Bethlehem Rebounders (whom fed homeless individuals within the D.C. community)
- An Office Volunteer with American Diabetes Association
- Community Service Chair of National Council of Negro Women-Howard University Section
- Programs Volunteer Dinner Program for Homeless Women
- Volunteer with the 2009 Presidential Inauguration Committee
- 2009 inductee of the Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.
- Served as an intern for the Washington Wizards 2007-2008 season in the Community Relations Department
At Howard, she received the Nellie M. Quander Memorial Scholarship, Howard University Trustee Scholarship, and the Mary Rose Reeves Allen Endowed Scholarship.
Ms. Harvey currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia where she is an Assistant to Director of Promotions and Events at Andrews Entertainment District and volunteers as a Troop Leader for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.
With me being a first generation college student, I had no idea of the expenses my family and I would incur during my matriculation. With fees ranging from enrollment to room and board and not to mention tuition alone, I was extremely worried about how I would fund my college career. I was informed of the Asia SiVon Cottom Memorial Scholarship and applied immediately, and was honored to be one of the 2005 recipients. Not only was I able to assist in funding my college education, I excelled in all classes at the illustrious Howard University in Washington, D.C., where I graduated with a 3.6 GPA in 2009. I moved to Atlanta, G.A. in 2009, where I have been hard at work in the automobile industry. I began my career with Octagon Sports Marketing, working on the BMW account in 2010 as an Event Coordinator. I then transitioned to Enterprise Rent-A-Car,where I rose to the top as an Assistant Manager of one of the highest volume branches in Metro Atlanta. From there, I accepted a position with General Motors in their OnStar division as a Territory Manager.
I have been blessed to have had a success story, and owe a great deal to the Asia SiVon Cottom Memorial Scholarship. It has been said that Education is the most powerful tool that you can use to change the world- and I believe wholeheartedly that this prominent scholarship had a great deal in sharpening that tool!
B.A., Communications, Johnson C. Smith University 2012
Ms. Benson earned Dean’s List, became a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, and is still a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. The collaborative impacts of these organizations, as well as the ASC Memorial Scholarship Fund, have deeply grounded Ashley in the greater good that such organizations put forth in the community.
Starting out her freshman year at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC in 2008, Ms. Benson had various accomplishments under her belt. Those accomplishments range from earning filmmaking awards with her high school, to earning filmmaking awards nationally. During high school, she earned an award for “Excellence in Filmmaking” in the field of “Historic Research” on her collaborative documentary We Will Not Fight: Draft Resistance in the Vietnam War. Ashley also received the 2007 Panasonic Kid Witness News Award for Best Documentary for the same film.
Since graduating in 2012, Ms. Benson resides in Charlotte, NC, and is a budding freelance artist.
B.S., Chemistry, With Honors, Johnson C. Smith University, 2016
- Graduated with Honors from Johnson C. Smith University.
- Accepted as a participant of a Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) students at Virginia Commonwealth University.
- Granted the opportunity to conduct research at the University of Technology in Graz, Austria through Syracuse University’s International Research Experience for Undergraduates (iREU) program. There, she conducted research examining Kinetic Isotope Effects of E.Coli Nitrile Reductase.
- Presented a poster presentation of her research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in Seattle, Washington.
A.A., Computer Gaming & Simulation, Montgomery College 2010 B.A., Media Design and Animation, University of Baltimore-Shady Grove, Current
When I entered college little did I know my perspective of education would turn full circle. I entered college with the mindset to focus my studies in an easy major to hopefully speed right through with ease and not deal with the stress that I went through during my grade school years. In college I changed my major three times from Music to Mass Communications then finally Religious Studies which I really enjoy. It was when I entered the Religious Studies Department I would begin to have a heart for education. I was able to find myself through my studies and began to study and get good grades for myself and not because I knew I would get twenty dollars for every A or ten dollars for every B. Finally, I was learning for the benefit of myself encouraging myself to study and not because someone was standing over me making me do my work. As a result of all of this I faced my fears, overcame many obstacles, and began to accomplish more than I ever thought I could. Since being at Virginia Union I have had many accomplishments from my Freshmen year in 2010 to now as I’m entering my Senior year.
- 2010 – Inducted into “Men of Excellence” working as Event Coordinator; Peer educator mentoring and helping students with their spirituality; 2010 – Virginia Union’s Royal Court Mr. Sophomore 2011-2012 – Mr. Sophomore; 2011 – Inducted into M.A.P.P (Men About Positive Purpose); Assistant Director of Virginia Unions Gospel Choir
- 2012 – Began campus bible studies pairing up with different organizations on campus, helping them fill their spiritual capsules for the academic school year; Student Director for Universities Concert Choir (Eighty Voices under the Direction of Dr. Willis Barnett)
- 2013 – Director of the Virginia Union Gospel Choir; Mr. Maroon and Steel for the 2013-2014 Academic School Year
On June 17, 2013 I received a letter in the mail from the President’s office congratulating me for a job well done during the 2012-2013 Academic School Year. I was awarded the VUU Scholars Scholarship Award for maintaining a 3.0 or higher grade point average.”
Currently, I am continuing my studies at Howard University, where my concentration in Political Science is International Relations. This summer, I am also going on a research trip to Turkey and Greece. So far, I have really enjoyed my time at Howard. It has been wonderful to learn about so many different cultures and to be around such a rich African-American heritage that is unique to an HBCU. I really want to thank the Asia SiVon Cottom Scholarship Fund for your generosity.”
While attending Towson, I worked on campus as a Community Center Assistant and also held summer positions with Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Prince George’s County Fire & EMS Department Risk Management, and Kristina M. Ross & Associates, Inc. (Allstate Insurance).
I am proud to have been a volunteer at the Deaf Shalom Zone-Kitchen and Food Pantry of Christ Deaf Church, Food and Friends, and Restore Together Inc., and an assistant for Audio Ministry at Craig Memorial Community Church.
I am extremely grateful for the generous support received from the Armstrong High School Alumni Association, Benjamin & Suzanne Harris Scholarship, Craig Memorial Community Church, and Prince Georges County Federal Credit Union. But I am proud to be a recipient of a scholarship from the Asia S. Cottom Memorial Scholarship Fund as I take pride in excelling in the memory of Asia.”
B.S., Psychology (Minor: Human Development), Howard University 2006 M.A., Teaching & Elementary Education, Trinity College 2011
As a 2005 recipient of an ASC scholarship, she realizes it was helpful to attain her academic goals. With the help of the scholarship, she was able to focus on her studies without having to consider the financial struggle. She was also continuously motivated by fellow educators and members of the ASC foundation to not give up and continue to push forward as she attained her Masters and began teaching. In 2006, Ms. Tanner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and in 2007 she earned her Master in Art degree in Teaching for elementary education from Trinity College in Washington, D.C.
In 2014, Ms. Tanner entered her fifth year as an elementary school teacher in the Washington, D.C .area. For four years, she taught second grade and will be teaching third grade science in the coming school year. As an educator, it is her goal to enlighten students to the power of education and to give them the tools to become free thinkers and for learning to become an infectious and lifelong mainstay within their lives.
B.S., Biology, Fisk University, Expected 2016
Ms. Eldridge’s freshman year at Fisk was wonderful. Upon completing her first year, she made many new friends as well as had many opportunities to serve the community, and strive academically. Although Biology was a challenge she really enjoyed the challenge and hoped to stay motivated and work even harder to do better in upcoming courses.
- Ms. Eldridge was accepted into the Leadership Enrichment and Academic Development (LEAD) program in which she earned the emerging leader award.
- She also is a member of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia Club, as well as the International/Caribbean Club.
- During her sophomore year, she will be an orientation leader, welcoming the new Freshman class of 2017 on the campus, and guiding them and helping them along the way.
- She will be joining the track and field team.
A.A., Business Administration, Garrett College 2014
B.A, Accounting, Frostburg University, Expected 2016
Mr. Harrington enrolled at Frostburg State University and is majoring in Accounting. In May 2014, he graduated from Garrett College and earned an Associate in Arts degree in Business Administration with a 3.2 GPA. The Asia Cottom Memorial Scholarship helped in many ways. The background and sole foundation of the scholarship encourages him to be the best he is and never take life for granted because you never know how long you have it. Secondly it motivates him to do his best academically to continue to receive the help and support from the scholarship committee.