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FVSU Becomes First Georgia Partner of 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation through Agreement to Develop Atlanta-Area Students into Scholars and Leaders

Posted on Jul 16, 2019

Fort Valley, GA"” Fort Valley State University (FVSU) and the 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation, Inc. have announced a partnership to recruit and develop top collegiate leaders and scholars from the Atlanta area who will attend college at FVSU. In addition to scholarship support, academic coursework, leadership opportunities, and professional development programming at FVSU, the 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation will provide intensive training and mentorship to enhance retention and persistence. To become an FVSU/5 Strong Scholar, students must be HOPE-eligible and reside in the Atlanta metropolitan area. FVSU will provide scholarship funding to cover any additional tuition and mandatory fee costs.

Students can apply to become an FVSU/5 Strong Scholar at www.5strongscholars.org.

The goal of the partnership is to ensure that Atlanta-area students have full access to top faculty, intensive professional development programming, research opportunities, and mentorship which can help them fulfill their full potential for global leadership.

"FVSU welcomes brilliant Atlanta-area students to embrace their genius by living, leading, and studying in our empowering educational environment," said FVSU President Paul Jones. "We invite them to discover the possibilities in their potential for elite scholarship, research, professionalism, innovation, and meaningful service by challenging themselves to achieve at the highest levels."

Ragland and Jones 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation Founder and President Andrew Ragland (left) and FVSU President Paul Jones (right).

FVSU/5 Strong Scholars are recruited in their senior year of high school and must have earned a minimum HOPE grade point average of 3.0. Candidates are recruited and recommended through the 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation.

"A lot of people don't really understand the true importance of HBCUs," said Andrew H. Ragland, president and founding partner of the 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation. "Our mission it to help increase the retention and graduation rates at HBCUs. We believe two things are important extremely important to a student in college"” funding and support. If a student has both of those, they can be very successful."

The 5 Strong Foundation helps place five Atlanta-area students at each of its partnering schools, which, in addition to FVSU, include Alabama State University, Alabama A&M University, Bethune-Cookman University, Langston University, Lincoln University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Fisk University, and Benedict College. The foundation provides mentorship and academic support for students from matriculation through graduation.

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Contact:

Teresa D. Southern

(478) 822-7589, southernt@fvsu.edu

About Fort Valley State University

Founded in 1895, Fort Valley State University is one of the nation's most innovative academic institutions, leveraging its unique role as a state and land-grant institution to make educational opportunity available for everyone. The university's undergraduate and graduate campus and online degree programs enroll almost 3,000 students from all over the world. As part of its commitment to excellence, the university has produced more African-Americans with mathematics degrees than any other college in the nation in two of the past three years. FVSU students participate in more than 80 academic and civic organizations, honor societies, and study abroad programs. FVSU is Georgia's only 1890 land-grant institution, is part of the University System of Georgia, and is a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and NCAA Division II. Learn more by visiting www.FVSU.edu.

About the 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

"‹The mission of the 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation is to increase the retention and graduation rates at partnering Historically Black Colleges and Universities by assisting in the enrollment and success of academically promising student leaders until graduation. These emerging leaders and scholars, who will enter in a cohort of 5 students and be known as 5 Strong Scholars, will be supported over the course of their college career to ensure persistence and graduation in four years. Through academic, personal/social, and career development, these students will positively impact their college campuses and be better prepared to compete in our global society. Learn more by visiting www. 5strongscholars.org.

Main image caption: 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation Founder and President Andrew Ragland (left) and FVSU President Paul Jones (right) sign FVSU/5 Strong Scholars Memorandum of Understanding documents.

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