News and Events

Michayla George wins $25,000 in Scholarship to Study in England as the 2023-2024 ESU Luard Morse Scholar

National News

New York City: Ms. Michayla George, a Business Major at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, has been selected as the recipient of the English-Speaking Union Luard Morse Scholarship. Karen Karpowich, Executive Director of the English-Speaking Union, announced the winner, noting that she will receive $25,000 toward a semester of study at any university of her choosing in the United Kingdom during the 2023-2024 academic year.

The English-Speaking Union Luard Morse Scholarship Committee is truly excited to announce Michayla George as the next Scholar. Michayla, a sophomore at Tennessee State University, represents the highest caliber of student-scholars our nation has to offer. The ESU is honored to support her educational efforts as she expands her horizons with this study-abroad opportunity. The Scholarship Committee and the ESU Luard Morse Alumni community joins me in wishing Michayla, and all the finalists and applicants, the very best." stated Darrell W. Hill, chair of the ESU Luard Morse Scholarship Committee.

Michayla intends to continue her study of Business Administration in the United Kingdom. Given her strong academic and leadership track record, we are confident that Michayla will excel during her semester abroad.

Ellison Richardson

Lanise Myers

Lorenzo Lugo

The ESU Luard Morse Scholarship Finalists included three other exceptional, sophomore students studying at HBCUs from across the United States: Ellison Richardson, a Political Science Major at Howard University, Lanise Myers, a Kinesiology Major at North Carolina A & T and Lorenzo Lugo, a Business Major at Morehouse College.  For the first time since Covid, the ESU was happy to welcome the ESU Luard Morse Scholarship Finalists back to interview at ESU National Headquarters in New York City. 

The night before the Scholarship Interviews, they were honored with a Welcome Dinner and Jazz at Birdland hosted by ESU Luard Morse Alum, Omnika Thompson (1993). Following the Scholarship interviews, they were able to enjoy the camaraderie of lunch with the Luard Morse Scholarship Alumni Committee members at the ESU, who were happy to answer questions on their experiences in the UK as ESU Luard Morse Scholars and how the scholarship continues to impact their lives.

The Luard Morse Scholarship Committee comprises dedicated program alumni, including Darrell Hill (1990); Monique Robinson Clark (1999); Sean Mickens (2007); Rami Blair (2018), as well as Christopher Medalis, PhD.

Since 1969, The English-Speaking Union has provided Luard Morse Scholarships to students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to study in the United Kingdom. These merit awards, which are open to sophomores pursuing a four-year degree, provide up to $25,000 for a semester of study at any university in the United Kingdom. Students in all disciplines are eligible. The scholarship has been awarded to students majoring in economics, philosophy, finance, mathematics, liberal arts and the sciences.  For additional information about the English-Speaking Union Luard Morse Scholarships, please visit the Luard Morse Scholarships pages on the English-Speaking Union website at www.esuus.org  or contact Alice Uhl, Education Programs Director, International Scholarship & Debate at auhl@esuus.org or 212-818-1200, ext. 212.

Founded in 1920, the English-Speaking Union is a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization that employs English as a catalyst to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities for students, educators, members and volunteers.

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