Faced with televised reports of George Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020, Mar’quis Bryant-Morgan, then a nuclear engineering undergraduate, felt an urgent need to “do something for the community.” In the midst of a global pandemic and civil unrest, he began piecing together what would become the Bryant-Morgan Scholarship to provide financial support for Black students at Oregon State University.
“I didn’t have a job. I didn’t have a source of income, but I knew this was something I wanted,” Bryant-Morgan said. “My faith is always high. If I have the opportunity to give back and support people, that’s what I’m going to do.”
In December 2020, the Bryant-Morgan Scholarship committee began fundraising through GoFundMe campaigns on social media. The scholarship gave $2,200 to students in its inaugural year and continues to grow. To date, the Bryant-Morgan Scholarship has awarded a total of $12,000 to more than 15 Black students at Oregon State, including Jose Naranjo Mendez who was recently awarded a Goldwater Scholarship.
The scholarship is built around three “VIP” principles — versatility, integrity, and perseverance — and is open to all Black students at Oregon State. Bryant-Morgan purposefully left out a GPA requirement, acknowledging that life events can have an impact on GPA, and that grades do not necessarily reflect a student’s relationship with their school and their community.
At the ninth annual Black Excellence celebration, held Feb. 1, 2024, Bryant-Morgan awarded scholarships in person. The event honors Black students, faculty, and staff of Oregon State.
“It’s something to look forward to every year, an opportunity to get together, dress up, and really just be together as a community,” Bryant-Morgan said. “The biggest thing is seeing the impact of the scholarship and remaining connected to Oregon State.”
Chimdi Chikezie, a graduate student in computer science, is one of five students who was awarded a Bryant-Morgan Scholarship that evening. He was selected for his academic success and community contributions, which include volunteering as photographer for events like African Nights, hosted by the African Students Association.
Advised by Margaret Burnett, Distinguished Professor in computer science, Chikezie studies inclusivity in human-computer interactions. Using the GenderMag method, designed at Oregon State, he evaluates gender biases in software programs and digital devices. He’s also researching similar computer biases related to socioeconomic status.
“We find the inclusivity issues and what causes them,” Chikezie said. “Then we try to come up with solutions and recommendations so that future software builds don’t run into those same issues again.”
Before coming to Oregon State, Chikezie’s interest in computer science led him to work as a user experience designer for Silicon Africa Technologies, an innovation technology company in Nigeria. While there, he teamed up with colleagues in 2021 to start Social Media Fest, a platform that “teaches its audience how to leverage the power of technology, social media, and innovation.” The event continues annually.
While in Nigeria, Chikezie wanted to expand his ability to help people. With an undergraduate degree in computer science from Michael Okpara’ University of Agriculture, he decided to focus on human-computer interactions. After connecting with Burnett, he came to Oregon State to apply his creative outlook on technology and his interest in community.
“We computer science guys write the code, but it isn’t all about writing the code,” Chikezie said, giving the example of users with colorblindness struggling to use websites that use red and green design cues. “It’s also about making sure the software is really helping people.” He plans to work as a user experience software designer after graduation, making sure software programs are developed inclusively.
Bryant-Morgan is pleased to be able to see his scholarship vision play out, just four years after he first conceived it.
“I’ve been fortunate,” he said. “I never imagined the scholarship would get as big as it has, and it’s only going to grow,” he said.
In addition to running the scholarship, Bryant-Morgan works for Huntington Ingles Industries, a company that builds aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines for the United States Navy, in Newport News, Virginia. He plans to become a nuclear professional engineer and hopes to return to Oregon State for graduate study in radiation health physics.
“Oregon State will always have a special place in my heart,” Bryant-Morgan said. “I’m happy anytime I get to go back. I’ve got so many memories I’m grateful for. I wouldn’t change my experience for anything.”
