Tariq Alkebu-Lan, a junior computer engineering student from Richmond, Va. was named the first Tom Joyner Foundation Hercules Scholar.

While maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, this honor student serves as a member of North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, the STEM Club and is a Living Learning Community mentor on campus.  

During his time at the university, Alkebu-Lan admits he was greatly inspired by a quote shared by his professors. “The harder I worked, the luckier I got,” he recalled.

“To me (It meant) just work hard and eventually you are going to break down barriers and you’re going to be able pull off big things,” he said.  “You just have to be willing to put in the work.”

Alkebu-Lan said his future plan is to become a professional licensed engineer.   

N.C. A&T is the Tom Joyner School of the Month for October 2013. During this month, the university and the Tom Joyner Foundation are working to raise funds for student scholarships. As a part of the campaign, each week the foundation selects a male student with a grade point average of at least 3.5 to receive a $1,500 scholarship. The students who are selected demonstrate campus leadership and community involvement.

The scholarship is paid directly to the school to help offset college expenses.

To donate to the school of the month campaign,
visit tomjoynerfoundation.org and submit your gift.