Established by the family of Mr. Claydon H. Barron (1942 -2001), this endowed scholarship will serve to honor the memory of a devoted husband (Mary Barron), father (Lawanna Barron), humanitarian, and business entrepreneur. Mr. Barron, a native of Valdosta, Georgia, was a member of one of the first classes to graduate from Pinevale High School and was the first African American appointed to the Valdosta City Board of Education, serving ten years. A master businessman, Mr. Barron founded the Azalea City Bail Bonding Company, the Azalea City Limousine Service, and the Barron’s Insurance Agency. One of his many accomplishments that brought him great satisfaction was his affiliation with the Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge York Rite Masons. The National Grand Lodge bestowed upon him the 33rd Degree Masonry. This scholarship continues to encourage the tradition of a respectable work ethic, perseverance and academic excellence.
Scholarship Amount and Method of Payment:
The successful applicant will receive $750.00 or more to be paid directly to the college or university for tuition
and fees. This scholarship is not automatically renewable. The Barron Family, the Office of Africana Studies and the Advisory Selection Committee will declare a recipient or no more than two recipients each academic year through the submission of applications.
Requirements:
Applicants must be VSU Africana Studies (AFAM) Minors who have demonstrated academic excellence within the discipline, having taken at least three (3) AFAM courses. The recipient must also be a full time VSU student enrolled as a sophomore, junior, senior or first year graduate student.
Application:
Please submit the following: Application form, official VSU transcript, one letter of recommendation from an AFAM professor from whom you have taken a class, a recent photograph (for publicity purposes), and an ESSAY of 300-500 words describing:
How a college education will enable (or has enabled) you to contribute to society and especially give back to the community that has supported you.
Deadline:
All materials should be submitted by FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024, no later than 5:00pm
For further information, please call 229-249-4843 or come by the Africana Studies Office located at 1107 Nevins Hall, Valdosta State University.
Scholarship Fund Established: February 2002
Scholarship Endowed: June 2011