North Carolina A&T State University alums, Ponce Tidwell Sr. and his wife Marva value the lessons they’ve learned at their alma mater so much that 20 years ago, they set up an endowed scholarship.

“We set up the scholarship fund to facilitate those A&T students in need of financial assistance to continue their pursuit of an undergraduate degree,” Mr. Tidwell said.

He graduated in 1963 but recalls a moment one night in 1960 that would impact the rest of his life.

On the evening of Feb. 1, he and some of his classmates were discussing school work when one classmate joined them and described the day he had at the F.W. Woolworth lunch counter. Tidwell and his classmates listened intensely not knowing the impact that day would have.

Both Tidwells participated in the Sit-in demonstration that would play a significant role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The lessons they learned through their participation in the Civil Rights Movement are why the couple felt it was important to give back.

“We also contribute because of the good education we received, which provided us with the integrity and willpower to accomplish our goals. A&T is a first class-university,” Mrs. Tidwell said.

After leaving North Carolina to take jobs in the northeast, the Tidwells spent summers vacationing with their families and showing their children around their alma mater.

“We showed them where we met, discussed with them the things that had taken place on campus and shared our experiences growing up in the segregated system,” Mrs. Tidwell said.

The Tidwells instilled such a love for A&T in their children Ponce and Stephenie that they, too, attended A&T. Stephenie, enjoyed a reign as Miss A&T 1986-1987 and Ponce served as Student Government Association president 1990-1991.

“We also kept them around other relatives who had college degrees and were professionals so they knew what was expected of them. We do the same thing with our grandkids,” Mrs. Tidwell said.

The Tidwell Family Endowed Scholarship was established to ensure that other Aggies will have the financial means to follow in the Tidwell family’s footsteps.