Albany State University (ASU) has received ten scholarships, each worth $7,500, for the 2024-2025 academic year. This prestigious scholarship aims to support aspiring educators with a passion for literacy, offering financial assistance to undergraduate and first-year graduate students pursuing careers as writers or teachers of writing.

“We are profoundly grateful to the Patterson Family Foundation for their generosity in awarding 10 of our students the James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarship. This investment in our aspiring educators affirms their dedication to the teaching profession and underscores the transformative power of literacy. Education is the foundation upon which we build a better future, and supporting students who are passionate about literacy ensures that the next generation will have the tools to dream, achieve, and thrive. Together, we are fostering a legacy of knowledge, empowerment, and opportunity,” said Interim President Lawrence Drake.

The scholarships will be awarded to full-time freshman undergraduate students or first-year graduate students at ASU who demonstrate a commitment to literacy and education. Priority will be given to those with financial need. Scholarships will be awarded without regard to age, gender, race, creed, religion, national origin, or physical handicap.

The scholarship program is designed to empower students to develop their teaching skills, expand their knowledge of literacy, and cultivate a love of reading in future generations. Recipients will be required to submit a report detailing their learning experiences and how they plan to apply these lessons in their future careers as educators.

The Patterson Family Foundation is dedicated to fostering a new generation of educators who are committed to inspiring a love of reading and promoting literacy. The foundation believes that every child deserves access to a quality education and the opportunity to develop a lifelong appreciation for literature. By supporting future teachers and writers, the foundation seeks to create lasting positive change in classrooms and communities.