Tougaloo College Announces Honorees, Star-Studded Performance at 2025 Two Rivers Gala
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| Jackson, MS. — The stage is set for one of Mississippi’s most anticipated evenings—Tougaloo College’s 2025 Two Rivers Gala: The Untold Story – From Revolution to Renaissance—on May 2, 2025, at the Jackson Convention Complex. More than an elegant celebration, this premier event is a powerful call to honor the past, empower the present, and shape the future. For over 155 years, Tougaloo College has been a force for academic excellence, scientific discovery, and social progress. The Two Rivers Gala continues this proud tradition, bringing together 1,200 distinguished guests—renowned alumni, industry leaders, and visionary advocates—to invest in the next generation of scholars. Each ticket, sponsorship, and gift fuels the college’s vital scholarship funds, opening doors for students who will carry forward Tougaloo’s legacy of excellence and justice. This year’s gala will captivate with an electrifying live performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Anthony Hamilton and the smooth sounds of The Ton3s. But the heart of the evening lies in the celebration of two transformative leaders whose legacies continue to inspire. |
| 2025 Honorees: Honoring Legacy & Leadership |
| Light of Justice Award – Dr. Jerry W. Ward, Jr. A literary luminary, scholar, and mentor, the late Dr. Jerry W. Ward, Jr. will posthumously receive the prestigious Light of Justice Award. A beloved Tougaloo alumnus and longtime professor, Dr. Ward’s impact extended far beyond the classroom. From co-founding Callaloo and the Richard Wright Circle to mentoring generations of students and scholars, his life’s work stands as a testament to academic excellence, social consciousness, and cultural leadership. Vanguard Award – Dr. Richard P. McGinnis The Vanguard Award will be presented in memory of Dr. Richard P. McGinnis, former Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry. A visionary in STEM education, Dr. McGinnis was instrumental in positioning Tougaloo as one of the nation’s top producers of Black doctors and scientists. His decades of dedicated mentorship and program development created pathways to success for thousands of students, leaving an enduring legacy of innovation and empowerment. |
| Investing in Tomorrow’s VisionariesAt Tougaloo College, scholarships are more than financial aid—they are investments in leaders, innovators, and changemakers. From students breaking barriers in medicine and the sciences to artists, athletes, and advocates making an impact worldwide, each scholar reflects the college’s unwavering commitment to excellence. The Two Rivers Gala is your opportunity to be part of this transformative journey. Every dollar raised directly supports scholarships, ensuring the next generation has the tools to lead, serve, and inspire. |
