Dr. Ralph J. Bryson was a military veteran of WWII and fought in the Battle of the Bulge that greatly aided the liberation of Southern France. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education Degrees from the University of Cincinnati, and Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Ohio University.

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 of Emeritus and continued to serve at ASU for several years.

Dr. Ralph J. Bryson

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.

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.

Scholarships will be awarded annually in May and disbursed to Alabama State University to offset students’ academic costs by September 30 of each calendar year.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Applicant must submit an official academic transcript as supporting documentation.
4. 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.
5. 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.  
6. Applicant must provide a wallet-size self-photo in business attire.
7. Applicant must write a one-page essay (double spaced) on a pre-selected topic listed in the application.
8. 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

The scholarship award amounts will be based on funds from donors and fundraisers in support of the annual scholarship award cycle.