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WSSU announces winners of $2,500 Tom Joyner/Toyota Foundation scholarships

Four full-time students at Winston-Salem State University were selected to receive $2,500 scholarships from a donation from Toyota Financial Services (TFS) and the Tom Joyner Foundation. The organizations awarded $10,000 each to five historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in honor of the life and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The following scholarship recipients were selected by the WSSU Office of Financial Aid:

Dijon Mean, Winston-Salem

Dijon Means is a freshman majoring in sports management with post-graduation plans of attending law school while pursuing an acting career, and later becoming a sports attorney.

His motto for success is inspired by Proverbs 6:10-11, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber and want like an armed man.” 

Sydney Neely, Charlotte

Sydney Neely is a senior pursuing a degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. After graduation, her hopes are to obtain a master’s in medical sciences and attend dental school, in preparation for a career in dentistry.

Her motivation comes from her parents, mentor/former professor, and the Bible verses in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

April Whitfield, Fort Washington, Maryland

April Whitfield is a senior majoring in music education. Following in the footsteps of her parents, who obtained their degrees and careers in music, she plans to pursue a master’s in vocal pedagogy and become a music educator.

April is inspired most by the motto, “We’ve come this far by faith.” It reminds her that without faith, success is nonexistent.

Adrienne C. Wilson, Charlotte

Adrienne Wilson is a senior majoring in music education. Following in the footsteps of her parents, who obtained their degrees and careers in music, she plans to pursue a master’s in vocal pedagogy and become a music educator.

April is inspired most by the motto, “We’ve come this far by faith.” It reminds her that without faith, success is nonexistent.

A bold past. A brilliant future.

For 125 years, Winston-Salem State University has fostered the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU’s curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region and beyond. Guided by the motto, “Enter to Learn. Depart to Serve,” WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment. Join us in celebrating our 125th anniversary with events throughout 2017. Learn more at www.wssu.edu/125th.

About The Tom Joyner Foundation

The Tom Joyner Foundation was founded in 1998 as the brainchild of nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. The mission of the Foundation is to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with scholarships, endowments and capacity-building enhancements. The Foundation has provided necessary support to every HBCU in its 18-year history to help sustain and preserve the legacies of these valuable institutions. Through fundraising and donor development initiatives, $65 million has been raised to support more than 29,000 students attending HBCUs. Additionally, the Foundation has recommended internships, offered matching grant support, and career development to deserving students.

 About Toyota Financial Services

Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota in the United States, offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust. TFS also offers extended service contracts through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). The company services Lexus dealers and customers using the Lexus Financial Services brand. TFS currently employs approximately 3,100 associates nationwide, and has assets totaling nearly $116 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. We announce material financial information using the investor relations section of our website (www.toyotafinancial.com) and SEC filings. We use these channels, press releases, and social media to communicate about our company, our services and other issues. While not all information we post on social media is of a material nature, some information could be material. Therefore, we encourage those interested in our company to review our posts on Twitter at @toyotafinancial.

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