Financial Aid
Vincent Hynson Scholarship Fund for Kent County High School Students
In Fall 2006, Baird Tipson, President of Washington College, announced the creation of a new scholarship fund for local minority students. Named in honor of late alumnus the Reverend Vincent Hynson '87, who passed away in August 2004, the first scholarship was offered in the fall of 2006. In Fall 2007, a second scholarship willbe offered to an entering freshman who is a graduate of a secondary school in Kent County, who demonstrates financial need, and whose achievements and aspirations most closely emulate the values of Vincent Hynson, who led an exemplary life as a teacher, coach, pastor and leader in the Kent County community. Hynson, a graduate of Kent County High School, attended Washington College as a non-traditional student, receiving a degree in history in 1987.
To kick-start the scholarship fund drive, Tipson personally committed $10,000 per year of his annual presidential salary.
"Although I am reluctant to promote my role in this," Tipson said, "I think we all must do our part-whether it is from the personal perspective of our beliefs or from our commitment to the ideals of higher education-to direct resources to those in need and to create positive relationships among all members of our community. My commitment is not just altruism-having lived on a professor's salary for many years, I know how giving large sums of money can be difficult-it's just something that I feel that I ought to do now that I've been given the means and authority to do it."
The Kent County Vincent Hynson '87 Scholarship, as it is officially known, will meet 100 percent of the recipient's annual educational expenses-full tuition, room, board and book costs. The recipient must meet all requirements for admission to Washington College and maintain full-time enrollment and good academic standing in order to continue the scholarship throughout all four years. The recipient must also apply for and accept all federal and state need-based grants.
"I did not know Vincent-my time here as president has been short," said President Tipson. "But I do know, from his many friends, admirers and associates, that he embodied the values that Washington College attempts to impart to all its students: to use the knowledge, wisdom and ability that education brings for the good of others and to reach out and lend a helping hand in the community."
In this spirit, Washington College has also established an outreach program in cooperation with Kent County Public Schools. Called "College Preview Days," the events provide information about the freshman year experience to local minority high school students to increase the comfort level for applying to and attending college.
The College Preview Days program partners minority juniors and seniors from Kent County High School with Washington College student ambassadors. The high schoolers shadow their ambassadors through a typical college day-attending classes, asking questions, eating in the Dining Hall with other college students-while receiving a tour of the campus and learning the how's and why's of the college application process. At the end of the day, students receive a copy of the college writing guide The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing authored by Washington College business management professor Michael Harvey.
Make a Gift to the Scholarship Fund
Washington College is accepting donations on an ongoing basis in support of the Kent Count Vincent Hynson '87 Scholarship Fund. Gifts may be made with a major credit card through our secure online form or by contacting the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21617, 410-778-7801.
Please mention that you are giving to "The Kent County Vincent Hynson '87 Scholarship Fund."
The College Preview Days program was a success this past year, and received an Excellence Award for Minority Achievement from the Maryland State Department of Education.
Tipson remains committed to efforts such as the Vincent Hynson Scholarship and the College Preview Days to build bridges between Kent County's diverse communities.
"We are a relatively privileged institution in a relatively poor county; we don't pay taxes," he said. "So what kind of obligation do we have to the community, particularly for those who are marginalized and feel left out of the economic boom? It seems to me that if we can get folks who ordinarily don't think of Washington College to think of us, and make it economically possible to attend, we should be taking every step to do it."
Biography of Vincent A. Hynson '87
Vincent Anthony Hynson '87, a teacher, coach, pastor and leader in the black community of Chestertown, died August 16, 2004, of cancer. He was 49.
Born in Broad Neck, he attended Kent County public schools and, as a non-traditional student, went on to receive a degree in history from Washington College. After completing pastoral training in the AME church, he became an important advocate for Washington College in its diversity outreach efforts.
Hynson became pastor of the Millington-Pondtown charge, a group of four Methodist churches in the area. During these years he worked with the Kent 4-H group and hosted two 4-H youth exchange students from Costa Rica. He was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Gospel Group of Pondtown and belonged to Jane's United Methodist Church in Chestertown. He also pastored at St. John's United Methodist Church in Wittman.
Hynson was committed to strengthening the community through its young people, and was at ease in a number of leadership roles-whether in the pulpit, in the classroom, or on stage. He worked with Kent Youth Inc. and became a member of Kent's Big Brothers organization. He received a citation from the Governor for his work as a member of the Kent County Drug and Alcohol Committee. He participated in two theatrical performances staged by Actors Community Theater and Washington College.
Working within the school system, he taught 6th grade at Rock Hall Middle School for the past 10 years. Previously, he was a first-year coach for Kent County High School's tennis team, and also worked with the volleyball team. In lobbying to have the name of Chestertown's elementary school changed back to H. H. Garnett School to reflect its black heritage, he testified before the School Board and submitted an article to the Kent County News.
"He was a man with so much joy, and he truly believed in the goodness in people," recalls Chestertown Mayor Margo Bailey, who often worked closely with Hynson. "At the same time he knew that sometimes people needed help finding their way. For Vincent, teaching was the answer. For him, it was the way to reach young people and to help them pull themselves up, fulfill a good life, and make a good world."
You may contact the Financial Aid office by phone at 410-778-7214 or by e-mail at fa_office@washcoll.edu.
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782