Chadwick Boseman’s lasting legacy will persevere through the creation of a new scholarship at his alma mater. As multiple news outlets reported, Howard University and Netflix teamed up to create the Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship, a $5.4 million endowment that will benefit students in the school’s College of Fine Arts.
“It is with immense pleasure and deep gratitude that we announce the creation of an endowed scholarship in honor of alumnus Chadwick Boseman, whose life and contributions to the arts continue to inspire,” Howard University President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick said in a statement. “This scholarship embodies Chadwick’s love for Howard, his passion for storytelling and his willingness to support future generations of Howard students. I am thankful for the continuous support and partnership of Chadwick’s wife, Mrs. Simone Ledward-Boseman and to Netflix for this important gift.”
Boseman studied directing and earned his Bachelors in Fine Arts in 2000. In 2018, Howard awarded him with an honorary doctorate in 2018, and in the wake of his death, the school named its newly-renovated College of Fine Arts after the Black Panther actor. Now, with the establishment of the Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship, HU is ensuring that lucky students will have the privilege to obtain a free education in his honor.
This semester, the new scholarship will reportedly be given to a recipient in each class year. In the years following, the award will go to an incoming freshman. Students studying dramatic arts will be given primary consideration for the donation, which covers four years of tuition.
“While [Boseman] was taken from us too soon, his spirit is with us always in his work and the good that he has inspired,” said Netflix Co-CEO and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “He always spoke of his time at Howard, and the positive way it shaped his life and career. Now, we will have the opportunity to give many future superheroes a chance to experience the same. We are grateful to Simone and Chadwick’s whole family, and our partners at Howard University for making this possible.”