"Take Flight Through Reading"
During the week of its 90th anniversary and the investiture of its 9th president, the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) provided over $1 million in future
scholarships to area 3rd graders. Data shows that students are four times more likely to drop out of school
if they cannot read proficiently by the 4th grade. Moreover, Monroe, Louisiana is one of the most impoverished regions in the
country and the state ranks nearly dead-last in education nationally.
Register your Centennial Scholar for the Homecoming Parade
If your child was nominated to participate in the ULM Homecoming Parade on Thursday,
October 26, please register your child at this link.
United Way of Northeast Louisiana
In collaboration with area schools and the United Way of Northeast Louisiana, ULM provided a book, authored and beautifully illustrated by ULM staff, to over
2,000 area 3rd graders. The book’s main character is the President, Dr. Ronald Berry, who tells the
story about how education and the University of Louisiana Monroe changed his life.
The book is intended to inspire hope in the belief that students can do and become
whatever they set their minds to, as long as they continue to dream.
2031 Centennial Scholarship
Over 100 volunteers helped read the book on the university’s campus and in local classrooms.
Printed on the first page of the book is a “2031 Centennial Scholarship” award, amounting
to $500. Each 3rd grade student can present these inaugural books to ULM’s scholarship department when
they are college freshmen in 2031, which also marks ULM’s 100th anniversary.
Continued Engagement
In the year since awarding the Centennial Scholars with their $500 scholarship, ULM
has engaged the children in various ways, from walking in the 2023 Homecoming Parade
to attending athletic events. ULM will continue to celebrate with the students until
they enroll in 2031.
Get Your Copy!
Now you can have your very own hardback copy of There's a Bridge on the Bayou. 100% of the profits of this book will benefit the ULM Centennial Scholars program.
Buy Your Copy Today!
