Back from left: Fatoumata Samb, A'Miya Dural, Aliyah Spears, Nia Matthews and Amber Harris. Front from left: Thy Hoang and Mackenzie Smith
December 20, 2024
Seven student leaders have been selected to receive Oakland University’s prestigious Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award in recognition of their efforts to break down cultural stereotypes and promote interracial understanding.
They will be honored during OU’s 33rd annual Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration, an event that honors the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
To qualify for the award, students demonstrated academic excellence, campus involvement and responsible citizenship. They submitted a resume, personal essay and letters of recommendation as part of the application process and were interviewed by a selection committee composed of OU faculty, staff and a past Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award recipient.
The 2025 Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award honorees are:
A'Miya Dural
Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences
Amber Harris
Health Sciences
Thy Hoang
Studio Art and Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences
Nia Matthews
Film Production
Fatoumata Samb
Public Health
Mackenzie Smith
Political Science
Aliyah Spears
Dance
The celebration will take place on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 20, 2025, in the Oakland Center Founders Ballrooms. Tony Award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose will be the keynote speaker at the event.
Established in 1993, the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards recognize Oakland University student leaders who have contributed to Dr. King’s legacy by breaking down racial and cultural barriers. Over the past three decades, more than 150 students have been awarded Keeper of the Dream scholarships totaling more than $750,000.
This year’s Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration is sponsored by Oakland University Credit Union, Whirlpool, Comerica, Magna, Corewell Health, Priority Health, First State Bank, Oakland University Black Alumni Chapter, Oakland University Alumni Association, Lynne & Lia McIntosh Scholarship and Lynne A. McIntosh Memorial Scholarship.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. Interested parties can contact Christine Talbert at [email protected] to learn more about supporting this event.
For additional event information, contact the Center for Multicultural Initiatives at [email protected] or (248) 370-4404 or visit oakland.edu/cmi/KOD.