Anthony Haun, son of Baton Rouge Residents, Receives John B. Ervin Scholarship to Attend Washington University In St. Louis

2012 Jul 27

Anthony Haun, son of Elaine M. and George W. Haun Jr. of Baton Rouge, La. (70817), was recently named an Ervin Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis. Haun, a 2012 graduate of Episcopal High School, will enter Washington University as a freshman when the fall semester begins Aug. 28.

Haun, a National Merit Scholarship Commended student, received the Hendrix College Odyssey book award and is a National Honor Society member. Haun was a member of his high school's track and field team, concert band, wind ensemble, Aussie Club, Louisiana Youth Orchestra and EHS Music Forum. He also served as president of the Senior Beta Club and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and at the Baton Rouge Public Library.

The Ervin Scholars Program awards scholarships to incoming first-year students who demonstrate exceptional intellectual and leadership achievements, and who have shown a commitment to community service and bringing diverse people together. Scholars are actively involved in the Washington University community and continue the legacy of the late John B. Ervin on campus.

Ervin, a nationally renowned black educator, scholar and author, was dean of the School of Continuing Education (now University College in Arts & Sciences) at Washington University from 1968 to 1977.

Ervin, who published numerous articles on education in professional journals, was the first African-American to hold a dean's position at the university. Presidents Ford and Carter appointed him to the National Advisory Council on Extension and Continuing Education. He also served as vice president of the Danforth Foundation from 1977 until his retirement in 1986. He was a life member of the NAACP.

The Ervin scholarship is renewable for all four years of undergraduate study.

Celebrating 25 years

The John B. Ervin Scholars Program is recognizing its 25th anniversary at Washington University this fall. More than 1,000 alumni, family and friends of the Ervin program are expected to be on campus Sept. 14-16 to participate in "Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence: Our Names and Our Stories."

"Throughout the weekend, we will recognize the extraordinary scholars who, in pursuit of academic excellence, service, leadership and diversity, have continued the legacy of Dr. John B. Ervin and Dean James E. McLeod," says Margaret West, PhD, associate director of the Ervin program and assistant dean in the College of Arts & Sciences.

As vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, McLeod was instrumental in establishing and building the Ervin Scholars Program. Today, it is considered a nationally pre-eminent program that fosters and enhances the overall quality and diversity of Washington University's student body. McLeod died Sept. 6, 2011, after a two-year battle with cancer.

"The anniversary will be a special time for the Ervin program and our university community to look back on those things that we have done well and contemplate those things that we have yet to do," West says.

"We will pause to remember not only Dr. Ervin and Dean McLeod, but also others who held the vision, saw the promise and helped bring the program to fruition."

Scheduled 25th anniversary activities include a 4 p.m. Assembly Series lecture by civil rights pioneer Ruby Nell Bridges in Graham Chapel. Bridges was the first African-American child to integrate the all-white William Frantz Public School in New Orleans. Because of threats of violence against the then six-year-old, she was escorted to school by four federal marshals. "The Problem We All Live With," a painting by Norman Rockwell, depicts her historic walk to school on Nov. 14, 1960.

About Washington University

Washington University is counted among the world's leaders in teaching and research, and it draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 110 nations. The total student body is nearly 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

The approximately 3,400 faculty teach in seven schools: Arts & Sciences, Brown School, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law and School of Medicine. Twenty-three Nobel laureates have been associated with Washington University, with nine doing the major portion of their pioneering research there.

The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.