Article "CIGNA Scholars' Performances Studied"

Article "CIGNA Scholars' Performances Studied"

CIGNA scholarships at the University of Richmond were granted to qualified black high school students and would provide up to $5,000 for each of their four years at the University. This program funded by the CIGNA Corporation of Philadelphia began in 1982. This Collegian article from 1989 discusses concerns about the program such as academic performance and transfer and drop-out rates of male CIGNA scholars. According to intern Maurice Allen, review and research of the program's success seemed to indicate that "the lack of academic success of some was attributable to non-academic reasons" and "could be related to the lack of a substantial peer group for the black male scholars." Dean Richard Mateer states that the three black groups on campus at this time were "student athletes, CIGNA scholars and those not in either of those categories" with CIGNA scholars being the smallest group out of the three as there are only six Richmond College CIGNA scholars at the time. Dean Mateer further addressed the issue of the campus environment as he was aware that some black students "felt the University was not open to them." Tina Cade, assistant to the vice president of student affairs, believed that adjusting to a predominantly white institution "was not an important factor" as "most CIGNA scholars came from high schools with racial compositions similar to the University." The article concludes by stating that a review of female CIGNA scholars will also be conducted to better analyze the experiences of all black students.

Myers, Julie. "CIGNA Scholars' Performances Studied." The Richmond Collegian 75, no. 24, (April 13, 1989): 1. https://collegian.richmond.edu/?a=d&d=COL19890413.2.24&srpos=2&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-

The Collegian, University of Richmond

1989-04-13

English

Collegian75.24.9-19890413.png

Richmond (Va.)