(From l-r) Chancellor Kenneth Peacock, Gary Henderson, and Willie Clarence Flemming clebrate after the announcement of a 500,000 dollar scholarship fund for African-American students Sunday. The scholarship fund is a three year campaign and will be named for Flemming. Photo by Madelyn Rindal | The Appalachian

The fund, created by a committee of African-American alumni, will work toward the recruitment and retention of African-American students at Appalachian.

“Right now ASU doesn’t have as many diversity scholarships to give out to students and one of the biggest reasons why African-Americans students don’t attend Appalachian is because the financial packages aren’t as big as other schools like Charlotte and Carolina,” said Glen Steadman, Student Government Association treasurer and president of the Pi Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. “We don’t have the money to do it so with this scholarship, now we can actually compete with these the other schools and have more scholarships available for students.”

The fund seeks to raise $100,000 by the end of this year, and a grand total of $500,000 dollars by 2014.

$50,000 has already been raised, including a $32,000 donation by Alpha Phi Alpha.

“It was one of those things where our fraternity felt as if it was the least we could do,” Steadman said. “It’s not at all the end of what we’re going to do, but it’s going to be something that we continue to push forward.”

During the dedication ceremony in Plemmons Student Union’s Blue Ridge Ballroom, friends, family and colleagues intimated their affection for the man the scholarship is named after.

Fleming, a 1980 and 1984 Appalachian alumnus, founded the ASU Gospel Choir, the Black Student Association (BSA), was a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association, a charter member of Pi Nu and the first advisor for minority students, just to name a few of his accomplishments.

“He’s one of those guys that truly made a difference on campus as soon as he got there and was always an advocate for African-Americans whenever they needed him,” Steadman said. “He was just that kind of willing person to help and I think that this scholarship is really a true testament to who he is and it’s something that he deserves and it’s due time that he receive this name recognition.”

Fleming’s work at Appalachian continues to touch those who follow in his footsteps.

“I believe the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship Fund is an honor to the man who has so much to do with the path I have followed here at Appalachian,” said BSA President Ashley Thompson, junior psychology major. “As the President of the Black Student Association and a former member of the ASU Gospel Choir I am so grateful for his contribution to Appstate.”

Those who want to contribute to the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship Fund can contact LaTanya Afolayan in University Advancement.

“Education is the key to so many doors and the lack of funds is often the reason many students do not make it to college,” Thompson said. “Receiving the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship Fund would only be the beginning of an amazing life on the mountain.”

Story: HANK SHELL, News Editor
Photo: MADELYN RINDAL, Intern Photographer