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2004 Mann Scholar Celebration

A decade of equalizing the academic playing field

by Jonathan Gramling

For the past ten years, the Mann Scholars Fund, administered by the Madison Community Foundation, has been quietly assisting promising students of color to fulfill their academic potential through emotional, academic, and financial support. It has also been quietly establishing a strong financial foundation to ensure the long-term operation of the program.

The Mann Scholars Fund was established in honor of Bernard and Kathlyn Mann in 1994 by a group of close friends of the Mann's who wanted to ensure their legacy continued. "I got a call from Terri Geisler and Max Gaeber asking me if I would join a group of them who were looking at ways to honor the Mann family," said Dr. Virginia Henderson, a Mann Advisory Board member. "I said yes immediately. We had been very saddened that they had died so prematurely. They were community activists. They worked with the NAACP and the Urban League. Education was their passion. So, that was the way to go."

The group sought out strong partners who could help them accomplish their goals. They teamed up with the Madison Community Foundation and the Madison Metropolitan School District to accomplish their goals. "The endowment now is approaching $400,000," said Margaret Geisler, one of the founding board members. "This means it can be self-sustaining. All that is spent each year is the interest of the endowment. In 1996, we selected the first Mann Scholars and they graduated in 2000. From the beginning, middle school principals nominated students of color who had a lot of potential. Our goal was to make funds available to the schools so that the students could take part in activities. That meant they had a computer at home. That meant paying a stipend to the student if the family needed the student to work in the summer because they needed the money."

The support the Mann Fund can provide can have a big impact on the course the student's academic career takes. "We thought it was important to identify kids early who might have a struggle," Henderson said. "By giving not only financial, but also a lot of emotional support from counselors and parents, the scholars are able to march right on through high school in the four years in spite of what there might have been without this kind of support."

Not only does the fund help them get through high school, but it also helps them explore new opportunities. "There was a young girl who was very talented in music," Henderson recalled. "She could play almost any instrument. She was going to go to East High School, but she didn't have a saxophone. So, we bought a saxophone for her. Then, she said she couldn't afford the fee for the marching band. Our funds were able to get her a marching band uniform."

On May 24, the Mann Scholars program held the Mann Scholar Celebration at the Pyle Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The occasion was a chance to welcome three middle school students into the program and to bid four graduating seniors good-bye as they headed off to college.

Becky Goberman, a daughter of the Manns, was pleased by the results of the program. "We are so proud of these students," Goberman emphasized. "My parents would be so proud to see the progress we have made. Each year has brought us new challenges and each year we're working harder to meet these challenges. What an honor for my parents this is to see education and community come together to provide this." Bernard and Kathy would be proud.

The 2004 Mann Scholars

Monica Cherry - Sherman Middle School - The teachers at Sherman describe Monica as a dedicated student who works hard to succeed at school. In addition to her academic work, she is the captain of the drill dance team, a member of computer club and the pre-employment program. She was recently nominated for the Kids Who Care Award and the United Way's Community Volunteer Award for her service work, primarily with the Bashford United Methodist's food pantry.

Chia Lor - Sennett Middle School - Chia is described as an outstanding eighth grade student who has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.80. She is an excellent writer and gifted artist. In addition to her academics, she is participating in the Asian Club and youth center at Sennett.

Tai'kiah Phillips - Jefferson - Tai'kiah is described as one of those students who catches your attention with her spirit and style and keeps it with her dedication to education. In addition to maintaining a 3.50 GPA, she has been a driving force behind many of the school and community events sponsored by the Jefferson Student Organization. She has received an Urban League Outstanding Young Person Award in each of her three middle school years.

The 2004 Mann Graduates:

Cecile Gamble - West High School - has been accepted to Madison Area Technical College where she will be studying Early Childhood Education. She received a scholarship from The Business Forum, a women's' professional group.

Fallon Jones - Memorial High School - She will attend Madison Area Technical College this fall. She plans to become a registered nurse.

Regina Jones - LaFollette High School - She will start at Madison Area Technical College this fall. She plans to eventually graduate from a four-year university.

Roosevelt Williams - West High School - He plans to attend Madison Area Technical College. He would like to start his own business someday.

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