The $10,000 scholarship honors the legacy of Thaddeus Stevens
(Washington, DC)— Akridge is proud to award Brayan Hernandez the Thaddeus Stevens School Scholarship for 2018. A recent graduate of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, Hernandez plans to attend The Catholic University of America this fall. The $10,000 scholarship reflects Akridge’s commitment to the community and to the legacy of Thaddeus Stevens, who was a U.S. Congressman and a strong opponent to slavery.
Akridge, along with development team partners Corporate Office Properties Trust (NYSE: OFC) (“COPT”) and Argos Group, formed the scholarship in conjunction with the development of Stevens School and Stevens Place at 2100 L Street. Hernandez is the first recipient of the Thaddeus Stevens School Scholarship. Akridge offers the scholarship to students from the District of Columbia who are pursuing an undergraduate degree on a full-time basis. In order to qualify for the scholarship, applicants must provide proof of residency, as well as proof of college acceptance or enrollment. Applicants must have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
The scholarship review committee, which included ANC 2A Commissioner Florence Harmon and West End Citizens Association President Sara Maddux, expressed delight in working on the first of five annual scholarships provided by Akridge.
“We received a great number of applications, underscoring the wonderful partnership between Akridge and the community to spread the word about the scholarship. The review committee took joy in seeing such high quality in the respondents’ applications and learning about these amazing young scholars from across the District, as they prepare to embark on their college careers”, said Victoria Murray Baatin, the scholarship’s administrator.
Akridge, COPT, and Argos Group worked closely with the District and the local community on the Stevens project to incorporate several design elements and community outreach worthy of Thaddeus Stevens’ legacy. The property will include a rotating art gallery of works from African American artists, as well as a statue outside the building and an office lobby exhibit commemorating Thaddeus Stevens. In addition to the scholarship, the developers will provide various community benefits including a program working with local schools to expose students to real estate development and construction.