• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

HBCU Lifestyle – Black College Living

  • HBCUs
    • What is an HBCU?
    • History
    • List of HBCUs
    • Notable Graduates
  • Jobs
  • Parents
    • HBCU Rankings
    • Black College Tours
    • College Admissions
    • Financing
    • College Scholarships
    • College Planning
  • Current Students
    • College Life
      • Greek Life
      • Sports
      • Dorm Living
      • College Survival
    • Careers
      • HBCU Career Hub
      • Internships
      • Career Profiles
      • Entrepreneur
    • Research Paper Resources
      • Research Paper Topics: 50 Ideas to Get Started
      • How To Write An Annotated Bibliography
      • Journalism Research Paper Resources
  • Alumni
    • HBCU Shirts
    • Podcast
    • Alumni Spotlight
    • HBCU Merch
    • Jobs
  • Shop

You are here: Home / HBCUs / Started from the Bottom: JSU Freshman Overcomes Hardship, Becomes Gates Scholar

HBCUs

Started from the Bottom: JSU Freshman Overcomes Hardship, Becomes Gates Scholar

Jackson State University freshman biology major Adrienna Williams,
Overcoming hardships, JSU freshman biology major Adrienna Williams, a Yazoo native, plans to become a physician. (Photo by Charles A. Smith/JSU)
Tears flowed from Adrienna Williams after learning she was selected as a Gates scholar and more recently while explaining that her then-single mother once worried whether she did enough as a parent for her children in their poverty-stricken Yazoo community.

Williams, a Jackson State University freshman biology major with ambitions of becoming a physician, candidly discussed economic hardships, including growing up in Section 8 housing. Despite some tough times, she graduated No. 2 this spring from Yazoo City High School to become among 1,000 Gates Millennium Scholars out of more than 57,000 students nationwide who applied this year.

The program of the United Negro College Fund is financed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Given the odds of earning the scholarship, she was stunned, yet humbled, upon receiving the coveted honor.

‘I’m just one little person’

“I went to a small high school in a small town.  I’m just one little person in a competitive school. We all wanted to be No. 1. I thought others were better because I stutter sometimes. Despite that, my mentors encouraged me to apply. The process was very involved. I had to write eight essays on a designated topic. But, not only that, I also had a job.”

With all that was swirling around her, Williams still wanted to continue her education. “But how am I going to pay for school?” she asked herself.

Even with her prayers and those of her pastor, she said her faith wavered.

“My mom was a single parent without a college education. I’m the oldest of three children (she has a brother and sister). I knew what I wanted to do in life but didn’t know how I was going to accomplish it without money. I didn’t have the proper resources to prepare for my journey. I knew that I wanted to be in the healthcare industry to care for people.”

Supportive mentors, friends

Looking back, she credits God for supportive mentors and friends who urged her to apply for the scholarship and for giving her the confidence to share her obstacles with others.

“The day I received the honor I was in my college algebra class. My mom said I had received a package.” She asked her mom not to open it but to tell her whether the package was small or large, figuring a bigger size would be good news. After confirming the weight, she later opened the package, which expressed congratulations. “My mom started crying, and she called everybody; people in my classes were so happy for me. I started crying, too.”

In fact, she said her testimony and community service landed her the distinction of being named a Gates Millennium Scholar, which recognizes Williams as a “leader for America’s future.”

As a recipient, she’s eligible for renewable funds to attend any U.S. accredited college or university. As well, individuals who pursue graduate studies in computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science may be eligible for fellowship funding through the master’s and doctoral levels.

For someone with many options, she serendipitously chose JSU after an “impressive tour” from JSU Welcome Center guide Serita Griffith-Washington. “She made a difference,” Williams said.

Fell in love with JSU

“I was going to Ole Miss, but decided against that. I took a tour of Baylor (she didn’t get accepted), but then chose Southern Mississippi. After pondering, I did a random tour of Jackson State. I fell in love with the school, thanks to the tour guide. After seeing the beauty of the campus, I wanted to put my money back into an HBCU. Some relatives wanted me to go elsewhere, but now they’re OK with my decision.

“Furthermore, I didn’t even think about a doctorate degree beforehand, but this scholarship will provide for that. I’m going to medical school. I’m just so thankful now for not having to deal with the burden of college finances.”

Ultimately, Williams says she wants her life experiences to inspire others.

“My family and I did not have much when I was growing up. Still, I would not change anything. My mom’s struggles have drawn us closer. She probably thought she could have done more for us, but she was there. That’s all that matters. Certainly, growing up poor made me appreciate life more. … You’ve got to be thankful for what you have. If something is meant for you, it will happen.”

Her sage message to her peers is one that normally comes from some much older.

“If you think, believe and achieve, you can do it. I’m doing just that,” a tearful Williams said.

Source: Jackson State University Newsroom

September 6, 2015 by HBCU Reports

Primary Sidebar

Search

Follow Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Quick Links

  • Newsletter
  • Jobs and Internships
  • Shop
  • HBCU Colleges List: 107 Great Education Options to Consider
  • HBCU Rankings 2022
  • HBCU College Tours
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

HBCU History

  • The First HBCU in South
  • Oldest HBCUs In the Nation
  • The First Black Owned and Operated HBCU
  • The First and Only Black Catholic HBCU
  • 10 Powerful Black History Movies HBCU Students Should Watch

Popular Posts

  • Happy female college student working on research paper topics. Research Paper Topics: 50 Ideas to Get Started
  • HBCU Sororities and Fraternities to Consider The Divine Nine: Sororities and Fraternities on HBCU Campuses
  • A female African American HBCU student poses while smiling and holding her book in her arms. HBCU Rankings 2023: The Top 25 Black Colleges from U.S. News
  • Bowie State's nursing program students check a patient in class simulation. Top 10 HBCU Nursing Schools Rankings for 2022 by RN to BSN
  • New Programs at Morgan Address the Work of the Future and the Future of Work Morgan State Offers 4 New High-Demand Academic Degree Programs

Before Footer

Follow Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to receive weekly HBCU news, jobs, and advice in your inbox.

Sign Me Up

Footer

About HBCU Lifestyle

The spirit and camaraderie of black college living is a lifestyle - the HBCU lifestyle! We're committed to keeping you connected to the black college living experience, bringing you the latest on everything, from scholarships and dorm living to Greek life and alumni giving.


Contact Us

Latest from the Blog

  • JSU Student Success Awarded $9 Million
  • PVAMU’s College of Nursing Helping to Cultivate Inclusive Classrooms
  • HBCU Go Partners With Award-Winning Movie ‘Freedom’s Path’
  • Local Initiatives Support Corporation Offers New HBCU Internships
  • Newsletter
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Shop
  • List of HBCUs
  • HBCU Rankings
  • HBCU Scholarships
Copyright © 2010-2022 HBCU Lifestyle, LLC. All rights reserved.
Contact Us | Sitemap | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Get the best of the Black college experience delivered to your inbox.
Your email address:*
Name:*
Subscribe to (select all that apply):*





Please wait...
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide
No spam, ever. Promise. Powered by FeedBlitz