Charles Koch and UNCF President Michael Lomax Discuss UNCF/Koch Scholars Program in USA Today
In an op-ed for USA Today, Charles Koch and Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund, discuss the “unlikely alliance” that led to the creation of the UNCF/Koch Scholars Program.
The alliance is rooted in a quote from abolitionist Frederick Douglass: “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.” Koch and Lomax write that despite their many differences, they have been encouraged to find that they agree on many things, and they hope to inspire others to find common ground to work for good.
We agree on the principles that enable students to earn their success, realize their dreams and create value in society. We both believe an entrepreneurial mindset is at the heart of helping others. With courage, respect, integrity, humility, tolerance, mutual benefit and personal responsibility forming the foundation for learning, students are better positioned to develop their innate abilities and then encourage others to practice them as well.
Since it was first launched in 2014, the UNCF/Koch Scholars Program has received over 3,000 applications for 177 scholarships. These applicants come from 71 different colleges, including 26 of UNCF’s 37 historically black colleges and universities.