Maurice Cooley, founder of the Society of Black Scholars, inducted 23 new members last Sunday.

The society began meeting in the fall of 2000. “They started with just 15 members and learned a lot from these individuals,” Cooley said.

One new inductee and Marshall Freshman, Miranda Smith, described the program with three words. “Supportive, intellectual and successful,” Smith said. “The biggest accomplishment of being apart of the program was being able to say that my success paid off and to have the ability to tell your peers that I am a scholar is a huge accomplishment for me.”

Cooley adopted the idea that goals are designed to cause success as his own personal motto. “With these new inductees, our success will continue and over the years I will discover every unique thing about each individual and their backgrounds.” Cooley said.

When asked what the biggest accomplishment of the society was Cooley replied that the reactions were a large part. “The biggest accomplishment for the society was getting it started but also the support Marshall University gives to this program,” Cooley said. “The high graduation rate and members doing great is a huge accomplishment for the program as well.”

Cooley said that his team contributes a lot to the program’s success. “[There is a] 6 advisor council members that assist me with decisions on new members,” Cooley said. “These advisors teach and give moral support to these individuals based on their applications and private interviews. This process allows more connection to the mentees yet also allows are goal for success.”

The society requires a 3.0 GPA for membership but only in some rigorous courses. This excludes sport classes, weaving and classes that are similar to the aforementioned courses.

Breon Taylor can be contacted at [email protected].