Resources for Scholars

The Ronald Walters Scholarship Fund

The Ronald W. Walters Scholarship was announced by Mrs. Patricia Turner Walters in 2010 after the death of her husband, Dr. Ronald W. Walters. An endowed scholarship was established with contributions received from the public and from Mrs. Walters.  In 2012, Mrs. Walter donated money to award a scholarship while the endowed fund grew. The first scholarship of $5,000 was awarded in October 2013.  Since that time, six (6) scholarships have been awarded.

The Scholarship is awarded to a Howard University junior or senior majoring in Political Science with a grade point average of 3.0 or better. The scholarship funds can be used for tuition, room and board, and books.   However,  the entire award cannot be used exclusively for books.  The scholarship is based in part on the need of the student for financial assistance.  Each finalist for the scholarship has to write an essay on a topic related to the work or life of Dr. Ronald W. Walters. For more information on the scholarship, please contact the Ronald W. Walters Center.

If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, please use this link to take you to the Howard University giving page: https://giving.howard.edu/givenow. Select “Other” from the drop-down designation list and enter  “The Ronald Walters Scholarship Fund”.

The Edgar J. Kemler Writing Project

The Edgar Kemler Project at the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center continues to honor the legacy of Dr. Edgar J. Kemler through initiatives that uplift student voices and encourage critical thought on public policy, politics, and government.

Originally launched in 2019 as an annual lecture series, the project has since evolved into a student writing competition that highlights the intellectual talent and civic engagement of Howard University undergraduates. This transition was made in collaboration with the Center's Director and the Kemler family, whose continued generosity makes the program possible.

We are proud to recognize the 2024–2025 Kemler Award recipients: Seniors Oorebomi Akarakiri and Caleb Bryant, whose outstanding essays were selected for their excellence in research, clarity of thought, and commitment to the values embodied by Dr. Kemler’s legacy.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Kemler family, the Office of the Provost, and the various campus departments that assist with space reservations, technology, and event coordination for their steadfast support of this evolving and meaningful initiative.

Upcoming dates for the next Kemler Project cycle are to be determined.