The 2022 $5,000.00 Dr. Milton Bernard Scholarship will be awarded to Zaccheus Spann, a returning and contributing member of the VUU Men's Golf Team. Zaccheus is a rising senior from Capital Heights, Maryland, and is majoring in Entrepreneur Management. Spann has a 3.50 career grade point average.
"I want to first thank God for this honor. Keeping my head down and remaining focused on the task at hand is what keeps me humble even in tremendous moments like this. I am thankful to the Pro Duffers for the Dr. Milton Bernard scholarship. It means so much to me and the work I am doing in my life", says Zaccheus Spann.
Dr. Milton Bernard was the first president of the Washington, DC Chapter Pro Duffers when it was established. In 1988 Dr. Bernard became the first National President of the Pro Duffer's USA. Dr. Bernard also spearheaded the inception of the Duffer's Foundation over 30 years ago with a mission to provide educational opportunities for African American youths and promote and help sustain collegiate golf programs at HBCU's in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Dr. Bernard was an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Specialist in Washington, D.C.
"We truly appreciate The Pro Duffers of Washington DC as they are great supporters and believers in the mission for the Virginia Union University's Golf Team", says Joe Taylor, VUU Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletic and Community Wellness.
The DC Chapter's donations over the last six seasons, totaling $28,000, have assisted the program in covering equipment, travel, and lodging. "The direct support of the Pro Duffers of Washington D.C. gave our golf program the financial resources for competition which led to some of the following accomplishments during their support for the last six seasons. 2019 CIAA Champions. We received the Golf Coaches of America Association All-Academic Team President's Special Recognition for 2019-20 and 2020-21 and 2021-22 for maintaining a GPA 3.50 or higher. We also received The HBCU Academic National Champions the last three seasons 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 (back-to-back-to back). As a result of our on the course play and our academic achievements we competed in the Folds of Honor Collegiate Championship September 26th – 28th, 2022, at Michigan State University", stated VUU Head Golf Coach Lee Coble.