Maya Rogers, a Howard University graduate student, has been named one of four student recipients of the $25,000 Beyoncé Knowles-Carter Formation Scholars Award. Winners of the merit-based award, issued by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s “BeyGOOD” initiative, were listed on beyonce.com last month.
Rogers’ selection is significant because she will be the first student in Howard’s history to graduate with a certificate in music therapy. She plans to use the Formation scholarship to complete her post-baccalaureate program in 2018.
Howard University President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick calls Rogers the “quintessential Howard University student.”
“She has a stellar academic record and is using her talents to empower others,” says Frederick. “We are pleased that she is recognized and rewarded for her commitment to service and academic excellence.”
Beyoncé announced the launch of her scholarship program on her website in celebration of the one-year anniversary of her album Lemonade in late April. The scholarship is “to encourage and support young women who are unafraid to think outside the box and are bold, creative, conscious and confident,” according to the statement on her website.
Students selected for the scholarship must be undergraduate or graduate students pursuing studies in creative arts, music, literature or African-American studies. Rogers met the criteria as a vocalist and songwriter using her passion to change the lives of others through music therapy.
When she found out that she won the Formation Scholars Award, Rogers says that she was full of laughter, joy and excitement “and a little bit of ‘Really?’” as she puts it.
