Booker T. Jordan Jr. Scholarship
The Booker T. Jordan Jr. Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Booker Jordan, the uncle of alumnus Vernon Givens ‘98, to honor Mr. Jordan’s impact, life, and legacy.
Booker T. Jordan Jr., was an exceptional African American male entrepreneur and role model who left a lasting legacy. Booker was an inspiring figure in the lives of family and friends. His inspiration, positive influence, and support touched the lives of countless people. Booker’s life modeled how to be a good and decent person and how to achieve financial success while coming from an impoverished neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago. Booker’s legacy lives on through Vernon and the countless others he inspired to follow their passions and care for those around them. This scholarship carries that legacy forward, with the hope that others in Chicago’s less fortunate communities can explore their own paths in IT and entrepreneurship.
Students must meet the following criteria for consideration:
● Full-time, undergraduate student
● Sophomore, Junior or Senior
● Possess a minimum GPA of 2.75
● First preference will be given to students from the City of Chicago and from Chicago’s West Side (Austin, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park and North Lawndale, etc.) as well as South Side neighborhoods (Bronzeville, South Shore, Kenwood, Englewood and Washington Park).
● Students who participated in The Premier Scholars Program and/or The Cardinal First Program are strongly encouraged to apply.
● Must possess a positive influence on the North Central College community with demonstrated campus involvement.
● While this scholarship is open to all undergraduate majors, preference will be given to those majoring in Entrepreneurship or IT (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Interactive Media Studies).
Recipients will be asked to submit a letter of thanks addressed to the donor. They may also be asked to meet the donor and donor’s family.
Essay: Please submit a one-page, typed essay (300 word minimum) addressing the following questions. Please tell us a little about yourself and how your campus involvement meaningfully impacts the lives of those around you. Also, please speak to a time in your life when you helped create a sense of belonging and/or served as a resource to someone in a time of need.
This scholarship is not automatically renewable, but recipients may reapply.
- Award
- $5,000.00
- Scopes
- Communication and Media Studies || Major • Communication Studies, B.A. • Interactive Media Studies, Convergent-Media Track, B.A. • Interactive Media Studies, Interactive Media Technology Track, B.A. • Journalism and Media Communication, B.A. • Organizational Communication, B.A. || Minor • Applied Communication Minor • Interactive Media Studies Minor • Journalism and Media Communication Minor • Organizational Communication Minor • Public Relations Minor || Concentration • Applied Communication Concentration, Computer Science and Engineering || Major • Computer Engineering, B.S. • Computer Science, B.A. • Computer Science, B.S. || Minor • Computer Science Minor, Management and Marketing || Major • Entrepreneurship, B.B.A. • Human Resource Management, B.B.A. • International Business, B.B.A. • Management, B.B.A. • Marketing, B.B.A. || Minor • Entrepreneurship Minor • Human Resource Management Minor • International Business Minor • Management Minor • Marketing Minor
- Deadline
- 04/30/2026
- Supplemental Questions
- First preference for this scholarship will be given to students from the City of Chicago and from Chicago’s West Side (Austin, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park and North Lawndale, etc.) as well as South Side neighborhoods (Bronzeville, South Shore, Kenwood, Englewood and Washington Park). Do you currently live in any of the previously listed neighborhoods?
- Students who participate in The Premier Scholars Program and or Cardinal First are strongly encouraged to apply to this scholarship. Do you participate in either of these programs? (Please note: you are not required to have participated in either of these programs to be considered eligible for the scholarship)
- Please submit a one-page, typed essay (300 word minimum) addressing the following questions: Please tell us a little about yourself and how your campus involvement meaningfully impacts the lives of those around you. Also, please speak to a time in your life when you helped create a sense of belonging and/or served as a resource to someone in a time of need.