Our Goal
Raise a minimum of $100,000 annually via fundraisers and donations to establish and sustain an academic scholarship in memory of Dr. Ralph J. Bryson for over 59 years of dedicated service as an English professor and department dean at Alabama State University.
Scholarships will be awarded annually during the month of May for the subsequent ASU academic year.
Our Mission
A few “Good Brothers” of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated endeavor to raise funds for the Dr. Ralph J. Bryson Academic Scholarship Fund, to be awarded to deserving students who meet certain scholastic requirements and aspire to educate themselves at Alabama State University.
About Dr. Bryson
Dr. Ralph J. Bryson graduated from the University of Cincinnati and was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated via the Beta Eta Chapter on December 6, 1946.
Dr. Bryson began his career in education, as a middle school English teacher, in North Carolina. Then he taught at Southern University and at Miles College as a professor of English literature. In 1953, Dr. Bryson embarked on a 59-year tenure at ASU as a professor of English and African American Literature, culminating with his appointment as the Department Chairman before retiring in 2012. Afterwards, he was honored as Professor Emeritus and continued to serve at ASU for several years. In addition, Dr. Bryson was an active supporter of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Brother Ralph D. Abernathy, Mrs. Rosa Parks and a host of other civil right activists. He was a long-term serving member of the Dexter King Avenue Baptist Church until his death.
Scholarship Information and Eligibility
Dr. Ralph J. Bryson
2024 Scholarship Awardees
Alabama State University
Destanie Charles
Planned Major: Pre-MEd GPA: 3.87
Miramar, FL
Jaden Smith
Planned Major: Comp. Science
GPA: 3.96
Memphis, TN
jayden prise
Planned Major: Biology GPA: 4.1
Leesburg, GA
radley porterfield
Planned Major: Computer Science – GPA: 3.94
Montgomery, AL
matthew cook
Planned Major: Biology
GPA: 3.65
Atlanta, GA
Van Vinson
Planned Major: Bus. Administration
GPA: 3.93
Montgomery, AL
The Dr. Ralph J. Bryson Scholarship Fund
purpose
The Dr. Ralph J. Bryson Academic Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to college-bound high school seniors and undergraduate students with an expressed interest in pursuing a higher education at Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL.
criteria
The students eligible for assistance must be graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students attending Alabama State University. Consideration will be given to academic achievement, financial need and the student’s community service record.
guidelines
Scholarships will be awarded annually no later May 15 and disbursed to Alabama State University to offset students’ academic costs by September 30 of each calendar year.
- Applicant must attend and/or be enrolled as a full-time student (minimal of 12 academic course hours) at Alabama State University at the start of the academic year starting in the month of August. NON-TRANSFERABLE.
- Applicant must have a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 GPA Scale at time of application submission.
- Applicant must submit an official academic transcript as supporting documentation.
- Applicant must provide their official score of the American College Testing (ACT) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). Applicants already enrolled/attending at Alabama State University are exempted from this requirement.
- Applicant must provide two recommendation letters from their school academic counselor/advisor and instructors. Special Note: Recommendation letters are prohibited from family members and/or relatives.
- Applicant must provide a wallet-size self-photo in business attire.
- Applicant must write a one-page essay (double spaced) on a pre-selected topic listed in the application.
- Application and all supporting documentation must be USPS Postmarked by 11:59 pm (Central Standard Time)
Beginning January 1, 2025 – Friday, May 2, 2025. Late applications will NOT be accepted; NO EXCEPTIONS!
Mailing Address:
The Dr. Ralph J. Bryson Academic Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 242831
Montgomery, AL 36117
eligibility requirements
amount
The scholarship award amounts will be based on funds from donors and fundraisers in support of the annual scholarship award cycle.
Media
The Legacy Of Dr. Ralph J. Bryson
Dr. Darold Boswell
Past Polemarch, Montgomery Alumni Chapter
Time – 3:26
Media
The Legacy Of Dr. Ralph J. Bryson
Dr. John Knight
Former Alabama State Representative
Time – 2:48
Media
The Legacy Of Dr. Ralph J. Bryson
Dr. James Oliver
Band Director at Alabama State University.
Time – 2:40
Corporate and Business Sponsors
If your business or organization is interested in donating toward the Dr. Ralph J. Bryson Academic Scholarship Fund, please contact us directly, so we can acknowledge your contribution as a business on our website and in advertisements.
Montgomery
Alumni Chapter
Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Inc.
(MAC)
Donation Levels
We will recognize and acknowledge all donors and donations at each of the following levels.
Basic Level
Bronze Level
Silver Level
Gold Level
Platinum Level
Next Financial Update – 7/27/24
4 ways to Donate
Thank you for your generous donations! The total will be updated weekly on this website.
Scholarships will be awarded in May 2025.
The scholarship is funded by fundraiser events and donations from individuals, groups and corporations.
The scholarship fund has been established as a public charity by the IRS and all proceeds are 100% tax deductible.
For on-site donations, visit any Regions Bank Branch to deposit funds into the
Dr Ralph J. Bryson Academic Scholarship Fund Account.
Please email a copy of your deposit receipt to the Treasurer, Eddie Todd at
Todd1943@bellsouth.net
Please make your check payable to the Dr. Ralph J. Bryson Academic Scholarship Fund and mail it to
P.O. Box 242831, Montgomery, AL 36124
Fundraising Events
Thank you for supporting the Dr. Ralph J. Bryson Academic Scholarship Fund at the Golf Outing Fundraiser.
Officers & Committee Members
This scholarship fund was established by the officers and committee members below.
Officers
Supporting Members
- Ray Howard
- Gerry Fairley
- Erick Wright
- Ervin Owes
- Collis Ivery
- Southern Lausane
- J. Michael Gunn
- Darren Dubose
Get in touch
For questions or comments about the Dr. Ralph J. Bryson Academic Scholarship Fund, please send correspondence to the address below, or contact us via the form.
