From university reports
Six members of the class of 2026 with majors in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences have earned two of N.C. A&T’s top scholarships, the Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholarship and the Cheatham-White Scholarship.
Three Dowdy Scholars plan to major in disciplines within the CAES. They boast an average cumulative GPA of 4.34, with test scores being optional for this selection cycle, and ranked on average in the top 10% of their graduating high school class.
“Dowdy Scholars are transformative leaders who understand that Aggies are always doing, but never done,” said Margaret I. Kanipes, Ph.D., N.C. A&T Honors Program director. “We are proud to offer the learning opportunities and resources for these talented, high-achieving students to realize their personal and professional potential.”
The scholarship is named in honor of the late Lewis C. Dowdy, Ph.D., A&T’s sixth president and first chancellor, and his wife, Elizabeth. He served the university for more than 21 years. The administration building was named for him in 1981, the year after he stepped down as chancellor.
Scholars receive a four-year renewable award that covers tuition and related fees, housing and meals for up to four years. This year’s scholars are:
SEIRRA BURGESS
Daughter of Gary and Della Burgess, she is from Grimesland, North Carolina. She is a graduate of D.H. Conley High School and plans to major in animal science. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to obtain her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and attend North Carolina State University.
MAKAYLA EUGENE
Daughter of Curtis and Stephanie Eugene, she is from Brandywine, Maryland. She is a graduate of Frederick Douglass High School and plans to major in agricultural and environmental systems (agribusiness and food industry management). Her ultimate career goal is to create a minority-owned agricultural tourism dance conservatory and arts education performance center for the underserved.
CALEB MCCOY
Son of Gregory and Diqueta McCoy, he is from McDonough, Georgia. He is a graduate of Eagles Landing High School and plans to major in biological engineering. His career objective is to work in agriculture to solve the problem of food scarcity in Black communities and beyond. He believes working to make healthy foods available to families who suffer from food insecurity will strengthen those households and have a major impact on our society as a whole.
Three CAES students have earned Cheatham-White Scholarships. These students boast an average cumulative GPA of 4.45 and, on average, ranked in the top 5% to 10% of their graduating high school classes.
“Our fifth cohort of Cheatham-White Scholars represents a continuing commitment to academic excellence,” said Interim Provost Tonya Smith-Jackson, Ph.D., executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “We are confident these students will enhance their skills and develop their talents to achieve every goal they have set for themselves, now and in the future.”
The Cheatham-White Scholarship, established in 2018, is named for Henry P. Cheatham and George H. White, two Black men who represented North Carolina in the United States Congress around the turn of the 20th century. From difficult beginnings – Cheatham was born enslaved, and White, the son of a mother whom historians say was also likely enslaved – each worked hard to earn a university education before launching careers in teaching, law and ultimately public service.
The scholarship is a fully funded four-year award that covers the costs of tuition, student fees, housing, meals, textbooks, a laptop computer, supplies, travel and personal expenses. It also provides four summers of fully funded enrichment and networking opportunities that may include international travel and study. It is a truly complete award designed to recognize academic achievement and potential at the highest levels.
This year’s scholars are:
BRANDON ARTIS
Son of Michael and Pamela Artis, he is from Chester, Virginia, and a graduate of Lloyd C. Bird High School. He is studying biology with a minor in animal science. After completing his degree in biology, he plans to attend medical school to become an emergency medicine physician.
JOSHUA CLARK
Son of Raymond Clark and Cheryl Cobb, he is from Knightdale, North Carolina, and a graduate of Enloe High School and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. He is studying agricultural and environmental systems with a minor in biological engineering. His career goal is to improve people’s lives using botany through agriculture, pharmacology, sustainability, or some other field, but preferably through a self-owned small business.
BRUCE DAVIS III
Son of Bruce and Tiana Davis, he is from Raleigh and a graduate of Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy. He is studying civil engineering with a minor in landscape architecture. His career goal is to start his own landscape architecture firm that uses sustainable practices of engineering and architecture to collaborate on projects locally and across the nation.
