Scholars begin their Hampton journey with a commitment to academic distinction, leadership and service.
HAMPTON, Va. (Oct. 1, 2026) – Hampton University’s Freddye T. Davy Honors College welcomed 31 high-achieving freshmen into its distinguished University Scholars cohort during an induction ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Student Center Ballroom. Held at the start of Family Weekend, the ceremony celebrated a new generation of students whose academic achievements reflect a commitment to excellence, leadership and intellectual growth.
The ceremony brought together Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams, Provost Dr. Betty H. Stewart, university administrators, faculty, staff, students and families to recognize the incoming scholars and mark the beginning of their Honors College journey.
Keynote speaker Nyla Howard, a fourth-year biology major on the pre-medical track from Huntsville, Alabama, and president of the Honors College for the second consecutive year, encouraged the incoming scholars to look beyond academic achievement and embrace opportunities to strengthen their leadership skills.
Howard’s message underscored the importance of pairing scholarly distinction with the personal growth and leadership necessary to make a lasting impact on their communities and professions.
“Inviting the highest achieving incoming freshmen is vital to the Honors College. They set the tempo for their classmates and others who seek membership in the spring semester. This distinct group are the only freshmen eligible to receive an invitation to join the Freddye T. Davy Honors College during their fall semester,” said Honors College Director TaKeia N. Anthony, Ph.D.
University Scholars represent Hampton University’s highest-qualified merit scholars among incoming freshmen. Eligibility requires a minimum unweighted grade point average of 3.5 and a minimum SAT score of 1,000 or ACT composite score of 22. Their induction recognizes their academic accomplishments while welcoming them into a community designed to encourage continued achievement and leadership development.
The 31 newly inducted University Scholars are Leon Bailey, Yaw Bamfo, Faith Barbour, Nathaniel Bowen, Kaii Bushyager, Israel Cecil, Christopher Copeland, Cainan Coverson, Sophia Curry, Evan Drinks, Robert Frazier, Brendan Harris, Jade Harris, Elijah Hines, Hannah Hollings, Gabriel Johnson, Amalie Laing, Cadence Mason, Kamari Mayes, Pera McMilliam, Anaiah Murphy, Omare Pittman, Christian Patterson, Taylor Scarlett, Marlowe Sutherland, Selah Sutton, Kennedy Thomas-Williams, Jasmine Washington, Melat Wolde, Mary Amara and Khoshal Rametra.
Through the Freddye T. Davy Honors College, Hampton University continues to recognize exceptional academic achievement and cultivate students prepared to lead with distinction. The induction of these 31 University Scholars marks the beginning of a new chapter in their Hampton experience, grounded in intellectual curiosity, personal development and the pursuit of excellence.
About Hampton University
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is one of the nation’s strongest Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution. For more than 150 years, Hampton has prepared world-ready leaders of character and consequence through a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.
Home to students from 44 states and 32 countries and territories, the University is nationally recognized for groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer research, cybersecurity, marine and environmental science, and other disciplines that address society’s most pressing challenges. With an annual economic impact of $515 million across the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton continues to advance discovery, strengthen communities, and prepare graduates to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected world. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.
