Good Trouble Legacy Scholarship
The University of St. Thomas believes that it is central to our DEI efforts that undergraduate students need to be recognized for their accomplishments and the legacy which they have left on our campus and the impact they will have on society as alumni. We are grateful to the dedication of our alumni, faculty and staff who pursued the creation of this award shortly after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.
The scholarship was established to support undergraduate students whose identities are underrepresented at the University of St. Thomas or whose studies focus on racial and social justice. George Floyd, a black man, was killed at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. During Mr. Floyd's memorial service, universities were called upon to create a scholarship in his memory that will support efforts to create a more just and equitable world. As a Catholic institution, we are living our mission as we embrace and prioritize seeking sustained racial reform and equity for all.
The scholarship’s title is in reference and in honor of the late Representative John Lewis, who represented Georgia’s 5th District in the United States Congress from 1987-2020. Representative Lewis embodied the activism and leadership of our Civil Rights Movement and challenged the nation to strengthen its struggle for racial and social justice for marginalized communities. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2011. The President addressed Lewis as the “conscience of the United States Congress,” for his courage and unwavering commitment to justice.
As Representative Lewis said in 2018, “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
Nominate a Student
Eligibility and Award
The selection committee seeks nominations from community members associated with the University of St. Thomas and who have worked closely with the nominees in either an academic or a community service setting. We seek students who have demonstrated academic prowess, who serve as role models for their peers, leadership and involvement on campus and/or our community in issues of promoting racial equity and inclusion. Preference may be given to students that demonstrate financial need.
Students who are selected for this scholarship are to be in good academic standing and in the spring semester of their junior year. One scholarship will be granted to the selected undergraduate student after being reviewed by the award committee and each scholarship will be in the amount of $5,000.
Nomination Process
Staff and faculty of the St. Thomas community can nominate a third-year student for the scholarship including the student themselves.
- If a student chooses to self-nominate, they will need to submit a letter of recommendation from a staff/faculty member.
- Staff/Faculty will nominate third year students for the scholarship by providing the name of the student and a short statement of why they are nominating the student.
- Student Diversity and Inclusion Services will follow up with all nominees to request additional information including but not limited to FAFSA, resume, etc. that demonstrates that the student meets the requirements of the scholarship.
Make a Gift
Donate to the Good Trouble Legacy Scholarship
The work to dismantle the long history of systemic racism will be hard and require thoughtful, collaborative and sustained effort. There is much work ahead to address the racial inequalities that exist about criminal justice, education, health care, jobs and wealth creation opportunities. Yet, this is work we have a responsibility to undertake, if we believe in the sanctity and dignity of every human person and in the common good, which inspires a community that enables the development of everyone’s full humanity.