A.J. Dillon Scholarship

A.J. Dillon Scholarship
Alpha Phi Alpha, founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in this country. The visionary founders, known as the “Jewels” of the fraternity, are Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy.

Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men, whose objectives are to: stimulate the ambition of its members; to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, freedom, and dignity of the individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood; and to aid downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic and intellectual status.
Alphonso Johnson (“A.J.”) Dillon

Alphonso Johnson (“A.J.”) Dillon was a well-loved educator, musician, and Alpha Brother from Magnolia, MS. Born on October 1, 1905, he attended high school at Alcorn A&M College, now Alcorn State University, where he also received a Bachelor’s Degree in English. He went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Secondary Administration from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Known as “Professor A.J. Dillon” throughout his professional career, Bro. Dillon served as principal at Fernwood High School, Pike County Agricultural High School, Parrish High School (Hazlehurst, MS) and Academic Dean at the Prentiss Institute, all in southern Mississippi. Bro. Dillon entered what is known in Alpha Phi Alpha as “the Chapter of Sweet Rest”-the Omega Chapter, on November 12, 1988. This scholarship is offered by the men of Alpha Phi Alpha in the Alpha Epsilon Lambda Chapter in Jackson, MS in memorial to Bro. Dillon and in support of what he fervently believed in: the academic and intellectual development of young men in Mississippi who may otherwise not get the opportunity to further their education.
Eligibility
One $1500.00 scholarship will be awarded to (3) graduating (male) seniors from a public, private, or charter school in Jackson Mississippi who plan to attend an accredited 4-year college or university of their choice.
Past Scholarship Recipients
Onward & Upward
J. D. Brister, C/O 2022
A graduating senior at Callaway High School. Planning to become a television sports analyst, Mr. Brister will be attending Jackson State University where he will major in Communications.
T. M. Moore, C/O 2022
A graduating at Murrah High School. With a passion for Mathematics and Theology, Mr. Moore plans to attend Mississippi State University and major in Aerospace Engineering.

Alphonso Johnson (“A.J.”) Dillon

Eligibility

One $1500.00 scholarship will be awarded to (3) graduating (male) seniors from a public, private, or charter school in Jackson Mississippi who plan to attend an accredited 4-year college or university of their choice.

Past Scholarship Recipients

Onward & Upward

J. D. Brister, C/O 2022

A graduating senior at Callaway High School. Planning to become a television sports analyst, Mr. Brister will be attending Jackson State University where he will major in Communications.

T. M. Moore, C/O 2022

A graduating at Murrah High School. With a passion for Mathematics and Theology, Mr. Moore plans to attend Mississippi State University and major in Aerospace Engineering.