President Davis-Blake Announces the Dr. Earl L Avery Scholarship Program
Dear Members of the Bentley Community,
On Tuesday, students, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Bentley’s 33rd annual luncheon. The moving event focused on the themes Dr. King dedicated his life to fighting for: hope for a better world and a continuous quest for justice. These goals are as powerful and relevant today as they’ve ever been.
In addition to celebrating Dr. King and the wonderful diversity of our community, it was my honor to recognize Dr. Earl Avery, an integral member of the Bentley community for more than three decades. Dr. Avery’s lifetime commitment to access and inclusion for all has guided his work, and because of that commitment, Bentley is far better and stronger today. In recognition of that lifetime of work, I’m pleased to announce that a new scholarship has been established to ensure that his incredible impact on the lives of so many students, especially students of color, will continue even as he retires from Bentley.
Initial funding for the Dr. Earl L. Avery Endowed Scholarship comes from two generous alumni, Trustee Robert E. Alan ‘91 and Lebone Moses ’02, both of whom credit Dr. Avery with their educational and professional success. The scholarship will be awarded annually to academically talented students of color who demonstrate financial need. Recipients will be known as the Dr. Earl L. Avery Scholars, and their active participation in our community will honor in perpetuity the amazing impact Dr. Avery has had here at Bentley.
Dr. Avery’s leadership in increasing diversity and inclusion is legendary, here on campus and throughout the higher education community. He has helped guide our institutional commitment to providing a welcoming and nurturing community where students of all backgrounds can achieve their very best. This remains an ongoing institutional commitment and is a key focus of our strategic planning effort.
This scholarship not only honors a man who has done so much for so many; it serves as a lasting symbol of our collective commitment to being an inclusive and positive community, something a truly exceptional university must be.
Thank you, Earl, for everything you have done for this community.
Alison