Oakwood University Alumna Establishes UNCF Scholarship to Support Students at Alma Mater

by Corynn Johnson |

Dr. Erogers Hykes

Major Gift Donors Support the Leaders of Today

An esteemed alumna of Oakwood University, a UNCF member school, recently established a UNCF scholarship fund to support students at her alma mater.

“Education is key,” said Dr. Erogers Hykes, Ph.D., a major gifts donor to UNCF and a board member of the Association of Black Educators of New York (ABENY). “When I support UNCF, I have the opportunity to partner with them to make a positive difference by transforming lives so that students may make this world a better place.”

Dr. Hykes’ support for UNCF is an extension of her role as a lifelong educator, actively involved in developing today’s youth. The importance of education was instilled in her early on. Her family viewed education as a pathway to self-sufficiency, which they considered priceless.

“Education has always been at the center of my life because my parents and grandparents stressed the importance of a good education from the time I was probably about two years old,” she shared. “They would always say things like, ‘The most important gift that you can give to us is to prepare yourself so that you can take care of yourself. And you do that by getting a good education.’”

Her family also equated education with service to others. Their advice continues to influence Dr. Hykes: “After you get your education and are prepared to take care of yourself, help someone else,” they said.

In carrying on this legacy, Dr. Hykes honors her family’s wishes through her generosity as a UNCF Major Gifts Donor and as an advocate for education as a tool for empowerment.

In addition to her family’s influence, Dr. Hykes’ time at Oakwood University inspired her to donate to UNCF to support the next generation of students and future leaders of America. She saw firsthand that, without UNCF, some students wouldn’t have attended college. For her classmates, UNCF meant access to education.

“When I was in school, I knew two students who told me, ‘Girl, the only reason I’m here is because of UNCF. Do you know I got a full scholarship? I didn’t have to pay anything!’” Dr. Hykes said.

Thanks to contributions from donors like Dr. Hykes, UNCF directly advances young people’s pursuit of higher education, expanding their future opportunities. Dr. Hykes’ decision to support UNCF reflects not only her values but also her deep personal commitment to making a lasting difference.

“I believe in helping students achieve their goals and accomplish everything they aspire to do, which is also what UNCF is all about—providing financial resources for students so they can achieve their goals and realize their dreams,” she said. “When we give them [young people] the opportunities, they don’t mind stepping up to the plate.”

Dr. Hykes believes that continuing UNCF’s legacy is a responsibility that begins now. “With this next generation, I would say we don’t have any problem,” she shared. “They are the leaders not only for tomorrow, but they’re the leaders for today.”

To future donors, Dr. Hykes makes this appeal: “If you want to give, then give. The time to give is right now. We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know what’s going on in the present. So let’s just do it now and enjoy all the benefits of giving.”

Help UNCF empower future leaders and transform lives through education. To make a major gift or learn more about the “A Mind Is…”® Society, visit UNCF.org/MajorGifts or call 202.810.0168.