Four UA Students Named Gates Millennium Scholars

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Four University of Alabama freshmen have been named Gates Millennium Scholars this academic year.

The UA students were chosen as Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) from a pool of more than 62,000 nominated individuals. Nationwide, only 4,000 students receive one of the merit-based awards. The GMS scholarship will cover all remaining college costs after a student’s school awards financial aid packages.

At UA, Andre Cooke of Mobile, Virnetta S. Greene of Birmingham (zip code 35214), Morrishane Horton of Birmingham (35211) and Charnita Peoples of Plantersville were selected to receive the Gates scholarships.

To be nominated for a GMS award, a student must have a 3.3 grade point average (GPA) and be accepted or enrolled in an accredited, undergraduate degree program or graduate degree program. The student must also have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, community involvement and show significant financial need.

The GMS initiative, funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was created in September 1999. It aims to increase the number of low-income, high-achieving African Americans, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, Hispanic Americans and Asian Pacific Americans enrolling in and completing undergraduate and graduate programs. The GMS initiative is administered by the United Negro College Fund in partnership with the American Indian College Fund, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the Organization of Chinese Americans (who represent the Asian Pacific American community).

Cooke is a graduate of Williamson High School, Greene graduated from A.H. Parker High School, Horton is a graduate of Wenonah High School, and Peoples graduated from Dallas County High School.

While a student at Williamson High School, Cooke served as president of the National Honor Society, captain of the Scholars’ Bowl Team and captain of the Kimberly Clarke Scott Hi Q Team. He was a volunteer for Toys for Tots, Big Brothers/Little Brothers and helped with voter registration programs. Cooke was named the Williamson High School Student of the Month and the Mobile Alabama Bowl Student of the Week.

In high school, Greene was named salutatorian of her graduating class with over a 4.0 GPA. In the spring of her senior year, she was an Alabama High School Athletic Association track state champion in three different events. Greene is a scholarship athlete at UA and is a member of the Crimson Tide women’s cross-country and track team. Greene is a civil engineering major at UA.

Horton served as secretary of Wenonah High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society. She also was a member of the Beta Club and was selected as a class representative to the Student Government Association. Horton was elected co-captain of the Wenonah High School varsity cheerleading squad during her senior year.

Peoples served as vice president of her junior and senior class at Dallas County High School. She was selected as captain of the girls’ basketball team and of the track and field team. Peoples was also a member of the Drama Club, the Science Club, FCCLA, Beta Club and the Math Team.