Imagine a group of close to 200 African Americans assembled in the Washington University Athletic Complex. Prominent doctors, lawyers, vice presidents at some of Wall Street’s biggest banks, professors at top universities and even a Rhodes Scholar were in this group. All of them are graduates of the University; all of them are John B. Ervin Scholars.
This scene took place well over a year ago when the Ervin program celebrated its 15th anniversary. Chancellor Wrighton, former Chancellor Danforth, John Ervin’s widow and a host of current, past and even future scholars were present to mark the achievements of one of the University’s and St. Louis’s greatest educators. For me, this is what the Ervin program is all about – a family coming together to share in great successes, supporting each other in the process.
As a John B. Ervin Scholar, the scholarship and the program as a whole have always been about more than money to me. While I do not deny the fact that the money attracts some of the best and brightest African American students to this campus when they might have chosen to pursue their undergraduate studies at other prominent universities, the scholarship extends beyond something that is tangible. It gives black students access to an invaluable support network at the University and beyond. By opening up the program to non-black students, the family dynamic and support network will undoubtedly change; the effects of this are yet to be seen, but I firmly believe they will leave a gaping hole in the heart of the program.
Alumni of the program are a priceless resource for current scholars. I have come into contact with Ervin alumni working in the financial services industry over the past year, moving along career paths I hope to follow soon myself. These individuals give me their honest, unadulterated perspectives on the industry and the challenges they face being an African American in that field. They come from backgrounds and places similar to where I come from; they are at, or are headed, to a place I hope to go professionally; they take the time, like only a family member does, to provide candid advice and counsel.
The same goes for Ervin scholars currently at the University. Many of these individuals have served as great mentors and friends to me over the past three years. When it came time to prepare for an exam or register for a class, there was a wealth of individuals supporting and advising me. I daresay my experience here would not be the same without them.
The effects of the changes to the Ervin Program stem far beyond recruitment of talented black students and access to scholarship monies. The feeling of family that forms the backbone of the program will change as well and it is this that is most troubling. The Washington University community, other communities around this country where scholars settle to live and work and the scholars themselves have all benefited from this family network. And by letting the essence of the family change, we must all be prepared to suffer for years to come.