Image via Bonner Office

By: Emmanuel Lee, Contributing Writer 

A foundation of brotherhood and community has separated Morehouse College from every other institution in Georgia. Initiatives like the Corella & Bertram Bonner Scholar Program help to create a culture dedicated to such. From building schools in the Dominican Republic to holding clothing/food drives during a season dedicated to giving thanks, the Morehouse Bonner Office of Community Service has upheld a standard of scholarship and service for 30 years providing opportunities for students to develop into greater leaders.

The Bonner Scholarship Program is a four-year endowed program that is funded by the Bonner Foundation located at Princeton University and covers the majority of all tuition. Only accepting 15 of the more than 100 students that apply annually, the program is dedicated to the six Bonner Common Commitments: community-building, spiritual exploration, diversity, international perspective, civic engagement, and social justice.

The program rests under the Bonner Office of Community Service along with other opportunities, such as the Emma & Joe Adams Scholars Program which also supports 28 select students financially with the requirement of participation in community outreach activities.

Students and administrators who make up the office are responsible for service projects both on and off campus. In past years, the office has spearheaded events highlighting the importance of voting, education, and mentorship. They recently partnered with the Morehouse Business Association in the Tailgate Cleanup on campus after Homecoming week and are currently gearing up for their annual It’s On The House event.

The Bonner Office of Community Service maintains the mindset of service throughout the college community, but also develops and bonds the young men who enter the program through experiences.

“It somewhat resembles the Greek life here on campus,” Aylon Gipson said, current Senior Bonner Intern for the office.

“They come in together and the first thing we do is put them in a room and have them get to know each other. Not only that, we make them dorm together. They build camaraderie through their service, fulfilling their requirements, classes, they have group chats and other Bonner activities, and that keeps on going throughout all four years,” he said.

The opportunities to work, serve, and experience together link the scholars together in ways that other student’s do not have. Creating these strong bonds early makes for a sturdy network later.

The network is vast and success-filled. With the new application, Bonner-Connect, implemented by Kevin D. Chapman, assistant director of the office, the alumni network is now more accessible for students searching for mentors in specific career fields across campuses.

“For us, the service doesn’t stop once we leave Morehouse,” Caleb Tsegaye said, senior and Alumni Coordinator for the office.

“It’s apparent in the work that we do after passing through the program and it’s important to bring alumni back to show that. The mentorship that some of our alumni can provide is invaluable, so I do my best to bring alum back to speak at our meetings monthly,” he said.

Even with the demanding stipulations the program entails, the scholars are set regarding campus involvement and leadership elsewhere.

“I think that’s part of what makes Morehouse different,”  Dr. Wilbur Whitney said.

Wilbur is the director of the Bonner Office.

“We’ve created servant leaders who seek opportunity. They aren’t satisfied with just being a Bonner Scholar. I sent a few of them to a conference and they took over. They walk into rooms and just shine,” he said.

The program also works closely with Clark Atlanta University and Spelman College to host events beneficial to the communities they share.

To learn more about the Bonner Office of Community Service and its scholars, follow @morehousecares and @bonnerscholar on Instagram for information on dates, times, and locations of events. Events are not exclusive and are open to all students in the AUC.

Copy Edited by: Auzzy Byrdsell, Editor-in-Chief