Dr. Alex John, Jr.
The scholarship is in honor of Alex John, Jr., Ed.D., the first Black dean at the university.
John was an early champion for diversity and inclusion at ULM. As a faculty member, John advised and encouraged Black students to persevere in their quest for a college education when there were few supportive resources for Black students. He was one of the first faculty and administration members who promoted diversity and inclusion at the university.
John (1943-2018) joined ULM, then-Northeast Louisiana University, in 1971 as an instructor in psychology. He later became a tenured assistant professor. In 1974, John was appointed assistant to the vice president of Student Affairs.
In 1980, John was named Dean of the Office of University Relations, becoming the first Black to hold an executive position at ULM. He left the university in 1982 and went on to become successful in several business ventures.
John received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from McNeese State University. John earned his Doctor of Education from ULM. He also studied at Southern University, Howard University, and Columbia University.
Impact
In 2012, the BULM, formerly the Black NLU Chapter of the Alumni Association, started the scholarship with $2,100 in proceeds raised at an event in Texas. In 2021, BULM presented a check for $25,000 establishing this memorial award in Dr. John’s name.
The Dr. Alex John, Jr., Endowed Scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students, with special consideration for marginalized and/or first-generation students.