In 2007, Belmont established and funded the E.S. Rose Scholarship to honor the memory of Reverend E. S. Rose, an African-American religious and Nashville community activist who served as pastor of Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (founded in 1866) from 1928-1944. Each year, the University awards full and (when funds allow) half-tuition scholarships to students distinguished by their record of academic achievement and recognition from educational leaders. Selection is based upon the following criteria: 1) academic accomplishment, 2) evidence of involvement in positions of leadership in the school and community, 3) demonstrated financial need and 4) residency near E.S. Rose Park in the Edgehill neighborhood. More information on the E.S. Rose Scholarships can be found here.
Sana Fatah and Suad Mohamed Selected as 2021 Recipients of E.S. Rose Scholarship
Sana Fatah and Suad Mohamed, both graduates of Hume-Fogg Academic High School in Nashville, are heading to Belmont University this fall as freshmen recipients of the E.S. Rose Scholarship, created to honor the memory of E. S. Rose, an African-American religious and Edgehill community activist who served as pastor of Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Each year, Belmont awards two full scholarships to students distinguished by their record of academic achievement and leadership. Every other academic year, Belmont offers an additional half-tuition scholarship as funds allow. Highest consideration is given to Metro Nashville Public School students who meet the scholarship criteria and whose permanent residence is located within Metro Council districts 17, 19 and parts of 18.
Mohamed (pictured left) was selected for her impressive list of extra-curricular activities in high school. She participated in the International Court for Justice for Model United Nations, interned at the Business Incubation Center, was lead outreach and student ambassador for Save the Children, served as secretary of the International Club, held the office of vice president in student government, was a guest ambassador for Vanderbilt Medical Center and worked as an assistant for Health Innovations of America, all while working part-time at Home Depot.
Mohamed intends to major in computer science, and she said Belmont offered her one thing that she desperately needed throughout the chaotic college process: support.
“In addition to the financial security that came with enrolling, the overwhelming support I received from administration solidified my final decision to committing. While academics and student organizations were important, the consistent support showed me that finding a place where I am wanted is crucial,” she said. “At Belmont I am more than a statistic or an applicant number, and I am reminded by every smiling face that I do indeed belong.”
Fatah (pictured right) was selected thanks to her own impressive high school resume, which includes involvement with Alive Hospice, volunteering as president and founder of the United Nations International Children’s Fund at Hume-Fogg, and serving as vice communications lead for Save the Children Action Network.
Fatah intends to major in neuroscience or public health, and she said meeting the public health community solidified her decision to attend Belmont. “I was interested in the curriculum that would allow us to dissect health disparities in the classroom and take our studies into the community with fieldwork projects. Throughout the college transition process, everyone from the Belmont administration and faculty has been incredibly supportive and welcoming,” she said. “I knew this tight-knit community would foster my personal and academic growth.”
Highlighting the 2021 Graduating E.S. Rose Scholars: Emily Vo and Haleema Shamsuddin
Emily Vo
Belmont University political science graduate and E.S. Rose Scholar Emily Vo will pursue her juris doctorate degree this fall.
The Martin Luther King Academic Magnet High School alumna was involved in many things while a student at Belmont, including the Belmont Speech and Debate Team, a two-semester study abroad program in Seoul, South Korea, Pi Sigma Alpha - the Political Science Honor Society, and Belmont’s Asian academic and service clubs: Chinese Cultural Association, Japan Culture Club and the Asian American Association.
Vo said, “I was honored to be trusted with the responsibility to give back to my community in honor of Rev. Rose and as an ambassador of Belmont University. It was a great opportunity to be involved in my community, while upholding the values of Rev. Rose and Belmont: leadership, service and faithfulness.”
Vo said her favorite memories at Belmont come from being a member of Speech and Debate team and attending the debate tournaments. “It was a great experience to be surrounded by intellectual and passionate students and to represent Belmont University on the state, national and international levels,” she said. “I learned and grew so much with the support of the members on the Belmont Speech and Debate team. I will forever look back on those memories fondly.”
Haleema Shamsuddin
Belmont University honors biochemistry and molecular biology graduate and E.S. Rose Scholar Haleema Shamsuddin will pursue further education by attending medical school.
The Hume Fogg Academic High School alumna was involved with many organizations during her time at Belmont, including the executive council of the Student Government Association, executive council president for Belmont Ambassadors, the American Chemical Society, Alpha Epsilon Delta Honors Society and Women in Science.
“Being able to do community service to honor Rev. Rose has been such an inspiring experience where I have been able to learn more about the E.S. Rose community and make life-long bonds with many individuals,” Shamsuddin said. “These experiences have shaped who I am today and my utmost passion for community activism.”
From insightful classes to being part of amazing organizations, Shamsuddin said her experiences at Belmont were absolutely incredible. Her favorite memory is leading the Belmont Ambassadors group as vice president in co-hosting the Christmas at Belmont event at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Congratulations to both of these outstanding graduates.
To be considered for an E.S. Rose scholarship, prospective freshmen must complete their application for admission to Belmont by our December 1 priority application deadline for merit scholarship consideration. Those students who meet that deadline, are admitted to the University and meet Belmont’s scholarship/residency criteria (see below), will be automatically considered for the award. Notification to scholarship recipients begins in late February.
Academic scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. Students deemed competitive for merit scholarships at Belmont will have completed a strong college preparatory curriculum with above-average high school grades/standardized test scores/class rank while demonstrating significant individual achievement within a variety of extracurricular activities.
Those students who meet the scholarship criteria and whose permanent residence is located within Metro Council districts 17, 19 and parts of 18 will be considered for the award (a map of Nashville’s council districts can be found at www.nashville.gov/Metro-Council.aspx). Highest consideration will be given to those students who live in closest proximity to E.S. Rose Park. If there are no qualified applicants meeting the residency requirements, students who are graduating seniors at any Metro Nashville Public School and who are enrolled in the free/reduced meal program will then be considered (provided they are admitted to the University and meet the general scholarship criteria) for the E.S. Rose Scholarship.
The University will award two (2) full-tuition scholarships each academic year. In every other academic year, one additional half-tuition scholarship will be awarded. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years provided the student maintains a 2.75 minimum cumulative grade point average. In addition, to continue the legacy of Reverend E.S. Rose, scholarship recipients agree to perform 10 hours of community service per semester in the E.S. Rose Park and Edgehill neighborhoods.
Belmont is committed to helping families find the financing necessary to make the University an affordable option. In addition to merit scholarships, the University offers a variety of need-based financial assistance. Students must submit the FAFSA by the February 15 priority deadline for need-based aid consideration. Visit www.belmont.edu/sfs for more information.
Questions?
Contact the Office of Admissions at 615-460-6785