NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Gloria Ross White graduated from Tennessee State University in 1976, but she never really left.
The former Miss ROTC remained involved with her alma mater through her Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and helping students to stay in school until her death in a car accident in 1984.
Described as a fun-loving person with a kind heart who embraced everyone she came across, White’s family is determined to keep alive her legacy of helping others.
Her sister, Cathy Ross, of Germantown, Tennessee, has established a $100,000 endowment at TSU in her (White) honor.
The Gloria Ross White Endowed Scholarship in Business will benefit first-generation college students from underrepresented populations. Recipients must major in business with a minimum 2.5 grade point average. Students pursuing a master’s degree are also eligible.
“She would want to live on by encouraging education and supporting students at TSU,” said Ross, a retired FedEx executive. “I have always believed in the power and benefit of education that was instilled in me by my parents, and my sister also believed in that.”
Although Ross did not attend TSU, she said the university has been very good to her sister and her family. Many relatives attended TSU, she said.
“My sister and I know TSU’s legacy of helping needy students, so I thought of setting up this endowment in her memory. This is something that will be useful for them (students), as well as for the college and the rest of the world,” Ross said.
Betsy Jackson Mosley, executive director of the TSU Foundation, said the university is grateful to Cathy Ross for the endowment.
“As she honors her sister’s memory, she is giving the gift of education to deserving students,” Mosley said. “The legacy of Mrs. Gloria Ross White will live on forever at TSU through the many students who will benefit from this generous scholarship fund.”
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With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 25 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.