Saint Louis University has established the new St. Peter Claver, S.J., Service Endowed Scholarship. The new scholarship is designed to assist first-generation, full-time freshmen from an urban setting who have financial need and foster a love of community service.
Newly enrolled freshmen must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.2 and an ACT score of 23. Scholarship recipients must perform 40 hours of community service in North St. Louis and selected surrounding communities per academic year and maintain a 3.0 GPA at SLU.
Established by a generous gift from Brian Shelton (A&S ’80), the scholarship honors the legacy of St. Peter Claver, a Jesuit missionary who ministered to African slaves in Colombia in the 17th century. Shelton first became familiar with St. Peter Claver’s mission work through his parish, St. Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist in North St. Louis, which hosts a Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of St. Peter Claver as living examples of his legacy.
The scholarship also honors Shelton’s time at SLU.
“I began to understand the meaning of diversity as an undergraduate at Saint Louis University, where I rubbed shoulders with a variety of ethnic groups and discovered that their differences were a gift,” Shelton said. “The Jesuit tradition welcomes diversity and also values service to others, and I saw this scholarship as a natural fit with SLU’s mission.”
“We are grateful for Mr. Shelton’s generous support of our Jesuit mission and our students,” said Sheila Manion, vice president for development. “A degree from Saint Louis University changes lives, and all capable students should have access to that life-altering education and experience. Scholarships enable bright students of all socio-economic backgrounds to not only have access to SLU, but to stay to complete their degrees.”
The St. Peter Claver, S.J., Service Endowed Scholarship is eligible for SLU’s Go Further Scholarship Matching Program, meaning that all scholarship gifts of $100 or more will be matched 100 percent by the University.
Gospel Youth Rally Concert
The local ministry Project 3 Fourteen is partnering with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to bring “Stand Up & Stand Out” Youth Rally Concert at the North County Rec Plex, 2577 Redman Ave., on Saturday, September 26 at 6 p.m.
Through this free event, host Ryan J. Camper (of Project 3 Fourteen) seeks “to encourage Christian teens and youth to be bold in their faith in Jesus Christ and to live out the life which Jesus Christ taught His followers to live in the Bible.”
This free event will feature music from gospel recording artists Prophecy, Scooda, Rob Redeemed, Myss Pecola Jaye, and Morie. The speaker will be Arbie Peterson, who serves as the senior pastor of the Memorial Tabernacle Christian Life Center.
“Be sure to wear bright colors!” Camper urged.
To get your free tickets, or to reserve your vendor booth, register online at www.standupyouthrally.eventbrite.com. To learn more about this event, or about Project 3 Fourteen, visit www.project3-14.org, or e-mail project3fourteen@yahoo.com. Learn more about the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at www.fca.org.
