“font-family: Verdana;”>The Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club is celebrating the life and legacy of long-time education advocate Dr. Cleveland Hammonds Jr. by naming a college scholarship in his memory.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>The inaugural award will be presented to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville teacher education student Zachary Sanderson at the 52nd Anniversary Awards & Alumni Celebration at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb.11, at the Sheraton Westport Chalet, 191 Westport Plaza Dr.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Hammonds
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>was a trailblazing educational leader, superintendent of the St. Louis Public Schools from 1999-2003, an outstanding professor at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and a dedicated Board Education Chair at Mathews-Dickey.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“Mathews-Dickey always held a special place in Cleve’s heart,” said Dr. Hammonds’ widow and Mathews-Dickey Development Committee Member Yvonne Hammonds. “It gives us joy to know that his good works are being cherished in such a special way, so that his memory will live on forever.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>With the support of the St. Louis community and the Hammonds family, Mathews-Dickey has established a fund to award an annual $1,000 scholarship in Dr. Hammonds’ name to an SIUE student pursuing teaching as his or her career.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“This scholarship is a way to recognize the strong passion that Dr. Hammonds had for education,” said SIUE Chair and Associate Professor Department of Educational Leadership Dr. Linda Morice. “We thank Mathews-Dickey for its leadership in helping the next generation of educators follow in this inspiring leader’s footsteps.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Sanderson was selected from a pool of outstanding candidates by a scholarship committee comprised of Mrs. Hammonds, Dr. Morice, Club Executive Assistant to the President & CEO Jay Washington, Sr. and Board Education Chairman Keith Williamson, Centene’s senior vice president, corporate secretary & general counsel.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>“Zachary’s desire to educate children, along with his community involvement and volunteerism are truly representative of Dr. Hammonds’ legacy,” said Williamson. “What a fitting way to celebrate the tremendous achievements of a true giant in the field of education.”
