Towson University announced the award of $75,000 in scholarship to ten students through the Patterson Family Foundation’s College Scholarships, founded by accomplished and famed author James Patterson. Selected students who have demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning and a passion for reading received $7,500 towards their tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Over 98 students applied for the scholarship, answering questions about the importance and influence of reading in their own lives. Awardees had remarkable letters of recommendation from previous or current professors and aced their interviews conducted by the scholarship committee.

The scholarship selection process was competitive and the committee evaluated each application to determine the which students aligned most closely to the purpose of the award. Committee members included Erin Fehskens, department of English and committee chair; Alison McCartney, dean of the Honors College; Kelly Gray, department of history; and Meghan Liebfreund, department of elementary education.

“We have so many outstanding students at TU, and I was delighted to learn about how many of them are avid, curious, and dedicated readers,” says Fehskens. “As an English professor, of course I believe in the vital role that reading plays in our lives, but I'm thankful to the Patterson Family Foundation for elevating the value of reading and lifelong learning across a wide range of student interests and majors. Our Patterson Scholars exemplify the rich intersection of reading and lifelong learning in so many different ways; I just can't wait to see how these students grow and impact the TU community and beyond in the coming years.”

The first cohort of scholarship recipients includes one junior, one sophomore and eight freshmen. Attesting to reading as a skill and love for all, recipients come from colleges across the university, including the College of Business and Economics, Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, College of Fine Arts and Communication, College of Health Professions and College of Liberal Arts.

“Reading is a vital skill for everyone,” says author James Patterson. “It’s joyful. It’s enriching. I’m so happy I can help support students in their academic journeys who value reading as an important aspect of their lives at TU and are committed to lifelong learning beyond the walls of the university.”

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About Towson University  

Towson University is Maryland’s university of opportunities. With more than 150 years of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, research and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with more than 20,000 students and 100 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast’s cultural and economic epicenters, TU is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. TU meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty and staff.