In a presentation during Clemson University’s Board of Trustees meeting on April 23, Lee Gill, Clemson’s chief diversity officer and special assistant to the president for inclusive excellence, showed board members the moment high school student Alejandro Jaramillo learned he’d received a full scholarship.
After dropping his jaw incredulously, Jaramillo gets out of his seat and jumps with joy.
“I really didn’t even believe it,” said the senior at Legacy Early College High School in Greenville.
Jaramillo is a member of a college-access initiative to help develop pathways to higher education for African American and Hispanic male high school students called the Tiger Alliance. It was the leaders in that program that selected him to receive the scholarship. He’ll be the first in his family to go to college.
The scholarship came from Boeing as part of its partnership with Clemson and as presenting sponsor of the Men of Color National Summit.
“Boeing is proud to partner with Clemson University through programs like the Tiger Alliance to ensure that Black and Hispanic young men are supported for long-term success,” according to a statement from Boeing. “This partnership provides an opportunity to build on our commitment to closing the achievement gap by investing in the next generation of American leaders.”
The future Clemson student plans on majoring in mechanical engineering with the hope of securing a career in aeronautical engineering working for NASA or SpaceX, said Jaramillo. Right now, he works at a local restaurant and interns with Greenville’s soccer team, the Greenville Triumph. He plays the sport too, and hopes to join a club soccer team at Clemson.
Jaramillo said he’s happy he doesn’t have to burden his family with the cost of a university education.
“I really just want to make it clear to everybody: Don’t be afraid of just going out and just trying new things — being courageous enough to step out of your comfort zone,” he said.
“We’re so appreciative of our partners at Boeing for creating this scholarship at Clemson. Investments like this are vital to the institution as they allow us to provide the financial support needed to create opportunities for those who may not otherwise have them, and increase the pool of diverse students in STEM fields,” said Gill in a statement.
