GAMMA RHO SIGMA ALUMNI CHAPTER EDWARD E. CANNON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
2016-2017 Edward E. Cannon Memorial Scholarship Brief History of Phi Beta Sigma: Application Deadline is July 30th, 2016 Phi Beta Sigma (ΦΒΣ) is a social/service collegiate and professional fraternity founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The fraternity's founders, A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I. Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would exemplify the ideals of Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service while taking an inclusive perspective to serving the community as opposed to having an exclusive purpose. Brief History of : The of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was chartered on January 19, 1956 to service the Queens and Long Island, New York communities Over the years, Gamma Rho Sigma Chapter has engaged in many community service and social action programs such as the Friends of Long Island Academy (a program that provides supportive services to youth released from penal and correctional institutions), and participated in activities with other community organizations such as the Jamaica Branch of the NAACP, The American Diabetes Association and the March of Dimes. The Gamma Rho Sigma Chapter consists of college educated men, seeking to positively impact the community and improve the lives of others. The fraternity members continue to live by our motto, Culture for Service and Service for Humanity. The Edward E. Cannon Memorial Scholarship Foundation: The Edward E. Cannon Memorial Scholarship Foundation was established in 1957 as an outgrowth of the chapter s senior high school tutorial program. The brothers of the chapter wanted to continue the positive relationships they had established with Queens high school students during their college years. Originally titled the Gamma Rho Sigma Chapter College Scholarship Program, the fund was created to provide tuition assistance to deserving students during their undergraduate studies. Throughout the years the chapter is proud to have been able to contribute valuable assistance to the college training of professionals in the fields of Accounting, Law, Education, Social Work and more. In 1987, the fund was renamed The Edward E. Cannon Memorial Scholarship honoring a recently deceased charter member of the chapter who had established himself professionally in the fields of Art Education and Administration. Brother Cannon had been the first member of the Gamma Rho Sigma Chapter selected to receive the high fraternal honor of membership in the Distinguished Service Chapter. The purpose of the Edward E. Cannon Memorial Scholarship is to provide college scholarship awards to high school seniors and continuing college students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, volunteerism and leadership and who are committed to making a difference in their community.
Award: A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually for the purpose of pursuing in a degree in any major field of study. The awards are for one year only and will be dispersed as $500 per semester. The scholarship will be paid directly to the recipient. Award Disbursement: The award will be dispersed as $500 per semester. The scholarship will be paid directly to the recipient. Award recipient must provide proof of college/university enrollment by October 1, 2014. Failure to provide valid documentation of enrollment will result in forfeiture of scholarship award. Any change in enrollment status prior to the completion of the recipient s freshman year will result in forfeiture of scholarship award. Eligibility Requirements: 1. Applicants must be a male. 2. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or continuing college student. 3. Applicants must have a minimum Grade Point Average of a 3.0 (based on 4.0 scale). 4. Applicants must be a resident of either Queens, Nassau or Suffolk counties. 5. Applicants must show proof of enrollment prior to receiving award. Once selected, recipients will receive the award for a four year period. The recipient must: 1. Remain enrolled in a four year college or university 2. Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better 3. Remain in contact with the chapter s Director of Education 4. Attend the chapter s annual Positive Male Image Awards ceremony Selection Criteria: 1. Participated in a significant service project(s) that impacted your community. 2. Student Essay 3. Letters of Recommendation 4. Academic Standing Application Requirements: To be considered for the Edward E. Cannon Scholarship, applicants must complete an application and return to Gamma Rho Sigma Chapter Education Committee by the application deadline. The application must include: 1. A completed application form. Only completed application forms will be considered. 2. Two letters of recommendation with at least one from a teacher or school official. 3. An official transcript with cumulative GPA. Transcript must be sealed. 4. An original photograph in dress attire. 5. A copy of applicant s letter of acceptance from College or University or proof of enrollment.
6. Signed Applicant Statement of Agreement 7. 500-word minimum essay (typed in Times New Roman 12pt font and double spaced) answering the below questions. Does the American Pledge of Allegiance still have a TRUE meaning to our society, why or why not? If you were re-writing the Pledge, what would it say? Submission of Application: All required documents must be mailed together as a package. Completed packages should be mailed to: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Rho Sigma Chapter Education Committee P.O. Box 120499 St. Albans, NY 11412 Application packages must be postmarked on or before July 30th, 2016
2014-2015 Edward E. Cannon Scholarship Application Form General Information Applicant Name - Last, First, Middle Initial (optional) Email Address Street Address City State Zip Phone Number Parent/Guardian Name Name of High School Education Information (For High School Seniors) High School Address City State Zip Guidance Counselor Name Guidance Counselor Phone Number Cumulative GPA Graduation Date College Student will Attend Fall 2014 Intended Major
Name of College or University Education Information (For Continuing College Students) College/University Address City State Zip Cumulative GPA Major GPA Major Community Service/Volunteer Activity Information List all community service and volunteer activities including position held and dates involved. Community Service/Volunteer Activity Name Date(s) Involved Description
Community Service/Volunteer Activity Name Date(s) Involved Description Community Service/Volunteer Activity Name Date(s) Involved Description Please list your employers starting with most recent. Employer Name Employment History Position held Dates of Employment Average Number of Hours Worked Employer Name
Position held Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Dates of Employment Average Number of Hours Worked Employer Name Position held Dates of Employment Average Number of Hours Worked Employer Name Position held Dates of Employment Average Number of Hours Worked
Extra-Curricular Activities List all extra-curricular activities including position held and dates involved. Activity Position Held Dates Involved Activity Position Held Dates Involved Activity Position Held Dates Involved
Please list your honors and awards. Honors and Awards Name of Honor/Award Year
In submitting this application, I hereby certify that: Applicant Statement of Agreement The information provided in my application is, to the best of my knowledge, complete and accurate, and I understand that false statements on this application will disqualify me from the scholarship. I agree to inform the Gamma Rho Sigma Education Committee of any significant changes to my application. I understand that the submission of this application does not guarantee the receipt of the award. I acknowledge that all scholarship finalists are required to attend or be represented the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Rho Sigma Chapter s Positive Male Image Award Banquet. Failure to attend will result in the disqualification of my application. I give Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Rho Sigma Chapter the permission to use my name, comments, pictures or photographs for public relations, advertising or any other lawful purposes. I waive any right to inspect or approve any finished products including written copy that maybe created in conjunction therewith. I understand that information from my official transcript(s), scholarship application, and submitted essay maybe used. I understand that any funds received from the Edward E. Cannon Scholarship must be used solely for the purpose of paying education expenses. I understand that award decisions of the Gamma Rho Sigma Chapter Education Committee are final. Applicant Name (Please Print Applicant s Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date