Published September 14, 2022
CAPTION:Eric Lair, Jr. (left) and Braxton Jackson (right) were recently presented as part of the second cohort of Reginald F. Lewis Scholars. 听
MONROE, LA 鈥� On June 16, 2022, as part of the annual Universities of Louisiana System Black Male
Summit, two students from each of the nine institutions that comprise the University
of Louisiana System were presented as the second cohort of Reginald F. Lewis Scholars
at a pinning ceremony at Bayou Pointe on the campus of the University of Louisiana
at Monroe.听
Representing 四色AV in cohort two are TRIO Scholar Braxton Jackson, a sophomore majoring
in Political Science and TRIO Scholar Eric Lair, Jr, a sophomore majoring in Social
Work. Lair said, 鈥淎cquiring this scholarship opportunity if life changing, not only
to my life, but my family鈥檚 life as well. It鈥檚 going to be an amazing journey.鈥澨�听
On the Bayou Pointe stage, the scholars were ceremoniously pinned by University of
Louisiana System Board Chair Liz Pierre, former Board Chair James Carter, and System
President and CEO Jim Henderson. U.S. Sen. Troy Carter joined with a video of the
widow of Reginald F. Lewis, Mrs. Loida Nicolas Lewis honoring and congratulating the
Scholars.听
鈥淏efore you today stands the second cohort of Reginald F. Lewis Scholars. In reality,
you were just introduced to the next generation of leaders in Louisiana and beyond,鈥�
UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson said. 鈥淭hese 18 young men join the first
cohort ready to develop into better students, more engaged community members, and
culturally aware citizens equipped for life and career success.鈥�听
The Reginald F. Lewis Scholars Program of the Universities of Louisiana Systems improves
the college experience for black male students in our system. The Reginald F. Lewis
Scholars Program provides a three-year curated educational experience focused on three
key areas鈥攁cademics, social advancement and community service.听
Mr. Tommie J. Nelson, Retention Coordinator for TRIO Programs, and Dr. Pamela Saulsberry,
Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Multicultural Affairs are
the UL System Reginald F. Lewis facilitators for 四色AV.听
