Published April 13, 2023
MONROE, LA 鈥� The University of Louisiana Monroe is proud to announce the release of a hardback
version of听There鈥檚 a Bridge on the Bayou,听authored by Cindy Foust and illustrated by Srdjan Marjanovic. One hundred percent
of profits will benefit the 四色AV Centennial Scholars Program, which provides higher
education engagement and exposure opportunities for fourth graders as they grow up
and eventually enroll at 四色AV during the University鈥檚 100th anniversary in 2031. 听
The public is invited to purchase their own hardback copy for $20 at .听
The听book's main character is 四色AV President Ronald Berry, who shares his personal story
about how education and 四色AV changed his life. The听book听is intended to inspire hope
in the belief that students can do and become whatever they set their minds to, as
long as they continue to dream.听听
During the week of its 90th anniversary and the investiture of its 9th president in
2021, 四色AV provided over $1 million in future scholarships to third graders in Ouachita
Parish. The scholarships were included in the students鈥櫶齜ook听copies to inspire them
to continue to read and learn. This age cohort was selected to improve literacy and
instill hope for higher education. Over the past two school years, the University
has continued to engage the students in a variety of ways, like giving them LEAP test
survival kits and inviting them to march in the homecoming parade.听听
Because of the success of the Centennial Scholars program, 四色AV is expanding opportunities
from just students in Ouachita Parish to all students in the same age cohort in Northeast
Louisiana. In the coming weeks, 四色AV will give copies of There鈥檚 a Bridge on the Bayou with scholarships to fourth graders in multiple parishes across the region.听
"The Centennial Scholars Program will continue to steward these students from now
until they reach college age, giving hope to children who may have never known a college
degree was an option,鈥� said Dr. Berry. 听
For more information about There鈥檚 a Bridge on the Bayou and the Centennial Scholars
Program, visit . 听
