Celebrating Excellence: 51st Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner
Draws Nearly 300 Attendees
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Rice University President Reginald DesRoches Honoree, Outstanding Contribution to Education | Board President W.F. "Bill" Monroe and 2025 Jenard M. Gross Distinguished Scholar, Izza Effendi |
On April 23, 2025, the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Greater Houston proudly hosted its 51st Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner, an evening filled with inspiration, achievement, and community spirit. With close to 300 attendees, this milestone event honored the academic accomplishments of 66 outstanding high school seniors, each of whom will receive a $5,000 scholarship—an increase from last year’s award and a powerful reflection of our growing endowment, the generosity of our donors, and our enduring mission to support future scholars. The highlight of the evening was the keynote address from Reginald DesRoches, President of Rice University and recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Contribution to Education Award. President DesRoches delivered a stirring message that encouraged students to embrace curiosity, resilience, and service in their pursuit of knowledge. We were especially proud to recognize Izza Effendi of Duchesne Academy as this year’s Jenard M. Gross Distinguished Scholar. Izza will receive a $7,000 scholarship, representing the highest individual award of the evening. This memorable celebration reminded us of the power of education to transform lives—and of the role our community plays in shaping the future. Now, it's time to relive the celebration through our photo gallery, where every snapshot captures the spirit of togetherness that made the evening truly special. Thank you to all who joined us and continue to support our mission. View photos from our 2025 dinner below. |
| Our Scholarship Awards Program helps dozens of outstanding Houston area students attend college each year.With my scholarship, I attended Prairie View A&M University where I graduated with honors with a B.S. in Physics. I have since gone on to get a PhD from the University of Michigan in Political Science and law degree from the University of Texas. I am now a full professor at the University of Michigan and the Director of the Institute for Research on Women and Gender. Prior to joining the faculty at Michigan, I was a professor of law at the University of Kentucky where among other leadership positions I was Director of the African American and African Studies program and the Humanities Center. I can say without question every scholarship dollar I received in the beginning gave me the opportunity to do all the things that come after. I am proud to have received this scholarship award. I am eternally grateful for the way your organization recognized my potential and I hope my achievements demonstrate why your efforts are so valuable. Melynda J. Price, High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, '91
I cannot describe how thankful I am and how helpful this scholarship will be in helping me achieve my future aspirations. Your support allows us to continue to help students like these. |
As the oldest of six children, financial assistance in attending a private university is crucial. I thank God every day for the gift of people like you, willing to assist young people in pursuit of academic excellence.
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Event Highlights Annual Meeting & Social—December 4, 2024PBK Houston alumni kicked off the holiday season at the Link Lee Mansion at the University of St. Thomas during our Annual Meeting & Social event! Featured speaker Scott McGill, entertained attendees with a talk on the challenges and pleasures of translating The Aeneid and make a case for why we all should read this 2,000-year-old poem. Professor McGill is a faculty member at Rice University and a renowned expert on Virgil and on the Latin poetry of late antiquity. He is the author of four books, and his verse translation, with Susannah Wright, of Virgil's Aeneid is set for publication with W. W. Norton in 2025.Click here to see photos from the event.
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8th Annual PBK Houston Key Connections Event—October 30, 2024 |
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