Netflix has established a $5.4 million USD scholarship at Howard University to honor the late actor, director, writer and alumnus Chadwick A. Boseman.
The Chadwick A . Boseman Memorial Scholarship will cover all four years of tuition at the university’s College of Fine Arts, which was renamed after the actor earlier this year. The scholarship will be awarded for the first time this fall, with one scholarship being presented to one member of each current class year. The scholarship’s first recipients are: freshman Sarah Long (musical theatre), sophomore Shawn Smith (acting), junior Janee’ Ferguson (theatre arts administration) and senior Deirdre Dunkin (dance).
Following the inaugural awards, the scholarship will be presented to one incoming freshman who exemplifies exceptional skill in the arts and demonstrates financial need on an annual basis.
“It is with immense pleasure and deep gratitude that we announce the creation of an endowed scholarship in honor of alumnus, Chadwick Boseman, whose life and contributions to the arts continues to inspire,” said Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick, M.D. “This scholarship embodies Chadwick’s love for Howard, his passion for storytelling, and his willingness to support future generations of Howard students. I am thankful for the continuous support and partnership of Chadwick’s wife, Mrs. Simone Ledward Boseman, and to Netflix for this important gift.”
Boseman passed away in August 2020 at the age of 43 after fighting a private battle with cancer. In 2018, the actor returned to his alma mater to deliver the commencement speech to that year’s graduating class.
“While [Boseman] was taken from us too soon, his spirit is with us always in his work and the good that he has inspired,” Netflix co-CEO and chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement. “He always spoke of his time at Howard and the positive way it shaped his life and career. Now, we will have the opportunity to give many future superheroes a chance to experience the same. We are grateful to Simone and Chadwick’s whole family and our partners at Howard University for making this possible.”
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