La Salle University’s Ricardo Johnson
Receives Warren E. Smith, M.D., Scholarship

On the day Ricardo Johnson visited La Salle University, it was cold and rainy and, in his words, “miserable.” But the chilly weather had no impact on his decision to attend the University.

“In spite of the weather, I really liked the people I met and the campus itself. I knew I had to come here because of the feeling I got from only visiting the campus one time,” said Johnson, a senior and recipient of the University’s Warren E. Smith, M.D., Scholarship, given annually to African-American students.

The scholarship is named for one of the first African-American graduates of La Salle. Dr. Smith was a psychiatrist who later served as a counselor at the University.

A Political Science major, Johnson is a former president of the Student Government Association, President of College Republicans, a member of the Gospel Choir, and is on the executive board of the African American Student League.

“I also keep busy with my involvement in the Basketball Marathon,” said Johnson. He is currently chairing the marathon, which will take place on March 23 and 24. Teams play for 24-consecutive hours to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. “I am trying to help it reach its potential as a fundraiser,” said Johnson. “I want it to raise more money, and I want it to become more of a community event.”

A resident of Baltimore, Johnson attended Mt. Saint Joseph’s High School. There, he learned about La Salle from his mentor, Joseph Molyneaux, a graduate of La Salle and brother of Gerry Molyneaux, a Christian Brother who teaches in the Communication Department at La Salle.

After graduation, Johnson plans on attending law school. If he doesn’t stay in Philadelphia, then he will probably study in Washington D.C. or Maryland. “I would like to be close to home, and D.C. has the highest per capita lawyers,” said Johnson. “I love Baltimore and would eventually like to move back and run for office some day.”

In his spare time, Johnson likes to hang out with friends, and read autobiographies. “I love going out into Philadelphia and checking out all of the historical aspects that it has to offer,” said Johnson.

The scholarship provides funds to La Salle African American students who demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.

Consideration for this scholarship is given to La Salle University’s African-American full- or part-time undergraduate students, in their sophomore, junior or senior years who are in good academic standing and have unmet financial need.

“To apply for this scholarship, I filled out an application and wrote an essay,” said Johnson. “I learned that I had received the scholarship through an email that I received from Cherylyn Rush,” who is Director of the Multicultural and International Students Center at La Salle and the Vice President of the University’s African American Alumni Association.

“The financial aid accompaying the award was a great benefit to both me and my family,” said Johnson. “It was nice to receive this award because it was from people like me, African Americans who attend La Salle.”