The FBR Foundation has donated $125,000 to create the Fred Renwick Endowed Scholarship for PreMed Students at Xavier University of Louisiana. The scholarship, which will impact the lives of aspiring medical professionals, is in honor of Dr. Fred Blackwell Renwick, a renowned educator and supporter of student achievement.
Dr. Renwick, a Morehouse College alumnus, sadly passed away in 2014. Prior to his death, he had a noteworthy career as a Professor Emeritus at New York University’s Leonard Stern School of Business, where he taught for over 30 years. In addition to graduating from Morehouse, he also had degrees from Harvard University and NYU. In 2007, Morehouse presented Dr. Renwick with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. His extensive literary career was complemented by his depth of knowledge and expertise in a variety of subjects, such as space exploration and defense.
In recognition of Dr. Renwick’s parents’ desire for him to become a doctor, the FBR Foundation created this scholarship fund to offer financial aid to Xavier University pre-medicine students. Particularly, the fund would help seniors and juniors who have stated their intention to enroll in medical school.
“We sincerely appreciate the financial support of the FBR Foundation to assist our premedical students in realizing their dreams of becoming physicians,” said Reynold Verret, President of Xavier University of Louisiana.”It is beautiful that the foundation commits to our student success with this generous gift. We are indeed proud of our premedical program and its contribution to equitable healthcare throughout the decades.”
Xavier University is one of the best HBCUs in the country when it comes to preparing Black students for medical school. 803 Xavier graduates have earned a medical degree in the United States in the last 20 years.
“The fact that so many students from Xavier continue on to medical school or become part of the healthcare system and work in the field of medicine is in line with our decision to support education opportunities in healthcare where African American physicians are underrepresented,” said Lynne Mueller, President of The FBR Foundation. “This scholarship is an appropriate way to honor Dr. Renwick, who always had a great affinity for his students; we want to do our best to honor Fred’s legacy.”
Each year during the spring semester, the Fred Renwick Endowment Scholarship for PreMed Students will be given out. According to qualifying requirements, the winner will be chosen by the premedical office.
