In partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), Honda has awarded scholarships to five students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for the 2018-19 academic year. The awards are part of an annual scholarship fund Honda established earlier this year to support students pursuing an education in engineering, supply chain management and manufacturing-related fields.

“Honda is pleased to support these impressive students, who we hope will become part of the future of manufacturing in America,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of the Office of Inclusion and Diversity at Honda North America, Inc. “This is just the beginning of a wonderful collaboration between Honda and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund that will support deserving students and help increase opportunities in the important field of manufacturing.”

Honda established the scholarship fund on the occasion of reaching a major milestone in America – the production of its 25 millionth automobile in the United States. Honda began auto production in Ohio in 1982, the first Japanese automaker to produce cars in the United States.

“Expanding our partnership with Honda made perfect sense because of our shared commitment to helping HBCU students pursue both their academic and professional dreams,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. “We are excited to see where the road of opportunity will take these five scholars and so many more, thanks to our Honda-HBCU partnership.

The students receiving TMCF awards through Honda’s support are:

• Richard Asante, senior, first-generation college student at University of Maryland Eastern Shore majoring in engineering.
• Dymon Atkison, sophomore at North Carolina A&T University majoring in engineering.
• Michael Caldwell, sophomore at Tennessee State University majoring in mechanical engineering.
• Marvin Edge, junior, first-generation college student at North Carolina A&T State University majoring in business.
• Xavier Leslie, sophomore at Alabama A&M University majoring in mechanical engineering.

Recipient Dymon Atkison said the scholarship is helping her get one step closer to achieving her dream. “For as long as I could remember, I’ve wanted to be an engineer and make a positive impact on the lives of people,” said Atkison. “My lifetime career goal is to become an aerospace engineer in the Armed Forces.”

In order to qualify for the scholarships, students must be enrolled as a full-time student at one of the 47 TMCF member-schools; earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; demonstrate leadership qualities and community service experience; and be recommended by a faculty or staff member of their current school.

Another scholarship recipient, Michael Caldwell, said he hopes one day to work in the automotive industry. “There is a need to find new and improved ways of increasing gas mileage and reducing emissions and I’d like to help make this a reality,” said Caldwell.

In addition to the financial support, scholarship recipients will be invited to interview for internships and co-op positions at one of 12 facilities in America where Honda manufactures vehicles, engines, transmission, as well as aircraft, aircraft engines, power equipment and side-by-side and all-terrain vehicles.

Honda has a long tradition of supporting higher education, including its 30-year commitment to HBCUs. In 1987, Honda established the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, an academic competition for the best and brightest students from HBCUs. Since 2003, Honda has sponsored the annual Honda Battle of the Bands, a musical showcase and scholarship fund for HBCU marching bands. Together, these programs have awarded over $12 million in grants and touched the lives of more than 170,000 HBCU students.