Scholarships
Earlier this year Al Sharpton and Tavis Smiley engaged in a heated exchange on the radio about whether President Obama should have a “Black agenda”. Sharpton said that the President was smart not to “ballyhoo” a Black agenda, while Smiley was critical of the President for not having a Black agenda. Smiley argued that it was problematic that Black leaders such as Sharpton and others were saying that President Obama should not focus on Black issues, while
Sharpton argued that Smiley was distorting what he said. Should President Obama have a “Black agenda?”
Do you believe the debate between Sharpton and Smiley indicates fundamental problems among Black leadership?
Application
The award is for one year only.
VIEW 2011 WINNING ESSAY:
Winning Essay - 
Evaluation & Selection
The BFSA Scholarship Selection Committee will reviews all applications.
Scholarship Disbursement
The $1,000 Scholarship check is awarded to the winner.
Please contact LT Robinson, lt@austin.utexas.edu, with questions.
Dr. James L. Hill Education Scholarship Endowment Campaign Background
LT Robinson.
Whether your gift is $25 or $10,000, increasing private scholarship support – particularly endowments – will ensure that we continue to change lives of deserving young African Americans for generations to come. As a UT employee, you can give to the Hill Scholarship through payroll deduction.
STAFF DONATIONS VIA PAYROLL DEDUCTION: (view screenshot)
- Log on using your EID and password.
- On the right side of the page, scroll down to “Personal Info”
- click on the “Giving to UT” link
- Select the “Texas Exes” and then select the “James L. Hill Scholarship” from the drop down menus.
- Enter any special gift info
- Enter the amount and frequency of your donation
- Verify Contact Info
- Press “Complete My Gift” button
https://utdirect.utexas.edu/nlogon/vip/ogp.WBX?menu=EXJH
YOU CAN ALSO DONATE ONLINE AT:
www.TexasExes.org/form/donate.asp
2011 Hill Scholarship Winner: Eli Watson
On Thursday, January 13, 2011, the Black Faculty and Staff Association announced the winner of the 2011 BFSA Dr. James L. Hill Scholarship Award Competition. The winner was Eli Watson, Freshmen Liberal Arts Major from El Paso, Texas. During the Dr. King Celebration Luncheon held at the Texas Union Ballroom, he received a $1000 check to go toward his Spring 2011 educational expenses.
2008 Hill Scholarship Winner: Ariel Webb
On Thursday, December 11, 2008, the Black Faculty and Staff Association announced that Ariel Webb was selected as the winner of the Dr. James L. Hill Scholarship. She will be honored at the BFSA Annual Holiday Gathering on 13th December where she will receive a $1,000 check to go toward her Spring 2009 semester educational expenses. Ariel is a Freshman Business major from Desoto, Texas. Her activities and awards include internships with the Dallas County Public defender’s office, Costa Rica Abraham’s Mission Habitat Project, High School Salutatorian, Phi Kappa International Honor Society, and Vice President National Honor Society.
2007 Hill Scholarship Winner: Damilare Ajibade
On Wednesday, December 5, 2007, the Black Faculty and Staff Association announced that Damilare Ajibade was selected as the winner of the Dr. James L. Hill Scholarship. He was honored at the BFSA Annual Holiday Gathering on December 14 where he received a $1,000 check to go toward his Spring 2008 semester educational expenses. Damilare is a Senior Electrical Engineering major from Dallas, Texas.
Dr. James L. Hill - The Legacy
As University President William Powers Jr. stated, “Dr. Hill’s work made an enduring impact on our university’s relationship with underrepresented populations and the local community. He strengthened our dedication to diversity, inclusion and cultural richness. He forged important and mutually beneficial partnerships with state leaders and key high level constituents which has helped the university to understand the needs and expectations of our neighbors and fellow citizens.
Appointed as the first African-American Vice President at The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Hill provided exemplary leadership, supervision, and general management of the following offices and programs: Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, University Interscholastic League, Neighborhood Longhorns, Community and School Relations, University Outreach Programs, and Pre-college Youth Development. He participated in numerous community and University activities including the Task Force for Austin Major Employees (T-Fame), Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue Committee, Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition, Affirmative Action Working Group Committees, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum Foundation, Austin Entrepreneurial Project and UT Faculty and Deans' Council. Dr. Hill retired from the University in January 2007, but still serves as a Special Assistant to the President.
During his many years of service, Dr. Hill has received many awards, certificates and special recognition. A few of these distinguished honors include the Austin Area Urban League/Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award, Texas Alliance of Black School Educators Founding Member, Ex-Students' Association Legacy Award, commendation for service as a member of the State Agency Coordinating Committee and recipient of the first Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Black Faculty and Staff Association, formerly the African American Staff Advocating Progress (AASAP).
Dr. Hill, who received his bachelor’s degree from Huston-Tillotson College in 1953, began his career in education as a high school counselor, mathematics teacher and band director with the Abilene Independent School District. He served as deputy commissioner with the Texas Education Agency and as director of the southwest field office for Educational Testing Services before becoming an Associate Vice President for Administration and Public Affairs in 1993 at The University of Texas at Austin. From June 2000 to January 2007, he served as Vice President for Community and School Relations.
To recognize Dr. Hill's dedication and service to the University community and the Black Faculty and Staff Association, the Dr. James L. Hill Education Scholarship Fund was established on September 15, 2001.
