Meet the Scholars
Honoring History, Faith, and Service: Sister Thea Bowman Foundation Board Chair Appointed to Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences by Pope Leo XIV
The Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation is pleased to celebrate the appointment of its Board Chair to the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences. The appointment recognizes a lifetime of dedication to the study of history, Catholic education, and service to the Church. For Francesco C. Cesareo. Ph.D., the Read More…
After Just One Year at Holy Cross, Growing as a Leader and Serving Others
August 5, 2026 Stories like this are made possible by the generosity of our donors. Your support is more than a scholarship. It is an investment in Scholars’ futures, leadership, and ability to positively impact their communities. Thank you for believing in our Scholars and helping open doors of opportunity Read More…
The Summer Symposium Matters to Our Scholars
This week, Scholars from across the country will gather in Chicago at DePaul University for one of the most meaningful events of the year for the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Educational Foundation, our annual Summer Symposium. For many Scholars, this is the only time of year when they can Read More…
Juneteenth: Freedom, Educational Opportunity, and the Work That Remains
Today, we commemorate Juneteenth, a day that marks the end of one of the greatest injustices in American history, the enslavement of African Americans. While June 19, 1865, signaled freedom for the last enslaved people in Texas, the struggle for equality, opportunity, and justice continues today. As we reflect on Read More…
Bishop Kopacz Shares Encouraging Update on Sister Thea Bowman’s Cause for Canonization
June 10, 2026 At the conclusion of the Annual Scholarship Dinner at Duquesne University, Foundation Board Member Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz of Jackson, Mississippi, offered attendees an encouraging update on the cause for canonization of the Foundation’s namesake, Sister Thea Bowman. Bishop Kopacz shared that significant progress continues in the Read More…
A Calling to Pediatric Nursing: Meet Aaryah Evans ‘30
June 4, 2026 Aaryah Evans knows that a visit to the doctor or hospital can feel overwhelming for a child. That is one of the reasons she wants to become a pediatric nurse, to be someone who helps children feel safe, cared for, and less afraid during difficult moments. This Read More…
Leadership, Service, and a Passion for Helping Others: Meet Jenaya Smith ‘30
June 3, 2026 Jenaya Smith will begin her journey toward an undergraduate degree this fall at Boston College to study economics as one of the newest Scholars of the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation. At Rochester Prep High School, Jenaya was busy with varsity soccer, Student Council, and programs focused Read More…
Preparing to Lead with Purpose: Meet Banchiayhu Berhanu ‘30
June 2, 2026 Some students stand out not only because of what they accomplish, but because of the way they serve the people around them. That spirit of leadership and service is evident in Banchiayhu Berhanu, a new Foundation Scholar. A graduate of Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School, Banchiayhu was Read More…
Finding Purpose Through Capturing Snapshots of Life: Meet Jordan Dodd ‘30
June 2, 2026 For Jordan Dodd, photography is more than taking pictures. It is a way to capture moments, energy, and emotion. Especially in sports. Through his work on the media team at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Jordan discovered the joy of being behind the camera and sharing stories Read More…
A Heart for Healing and Service: Meet Hannah Crane ‘30
May 28, 2026 Incoming Scholar Hannah Crane has spent much of her life moving. Whether it was on the gymnastics floor, running cross-country miles, competing in track events, or balancing long after-school work shifts, she became accustomed to pushing herself. Yet beneath all of those activities was something more personal: Read More…