Page 10 - Hampton-Fundraising-Report-2025

P A R T I
L E G A C Y O F G I V I N G :
Virginia Speaker Don Scott
Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott, a distinguished lawyer and veteran,
recently made a significant impact on Hampton University, a place deeply
connected to his family. During the May 2025 commencement ceremony,
Speaker Scott announced the creation of the Dr. Mellanda Colson Scott
Endowed Scholarship, a $100,000 gift honoring his wife, a Hampton alumna.
This scholarship is designed to support chemistry students who plan to pursue
dentistry, bridging two important fields of study at the university.
We sat down with Speaker Scott to discuss his inspiration, his legislative priorities,
and the power of giving back.
Q: This is such a meaningful gesture. What was the
inspiration behind establishing this scholarship in your
wife’s name?
A: It was a way to honor everything Mellanda represents.
She’s a proud Hampton alumna, Class of 1993, and her
success as a dentist and mentor is a direct reflection
of the strong foundation she received here. She has
always championed the value of education, especially for
students from underserved communities. This scholarship
is a proud means for us to give back to the university that
gave her so much and to help a new generation of leaders
follow in her footsteps.
Q: You are the first Black Speaker of the Virginia House of
Delegates. How does your personal journey influence your
public and philanthropic work?
A: My life has been a series of unconventional experiences,
from being raised by a single mother in Houston to serving
in the Navy and eventually becoming an attorney. I’ve been
through challenges, but I’m a firm believer that “it’s not
where you start in life; it’s where you end up that counts.”
My journey has shown me the power of second chances
and the importance of creating pathways to success for
others. It’s what drives my legislative priorities, which
include criminal justice reform, and it’s what inspires our
family to give back. I want to build a stronger Virginia
where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless
of their background.
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Q: The scholarship is for chemistry students aspiring to be
dentists. Why that specific focus?
A: It’s a direct connection to my wife’s career path. Mellanda
graduated from Hampton with a chemistry degree
before getting her dental surgery doctorate from Howard
University. Hampton’s science programs provide a
rigorous foundation for medical and dental professions,
and we want to ensure that students with that dream have
the financial support to achieve it. It’s about building a
pipeline of talented, diverse healthcare leaders.
Q: What message do you hope this act of giving sends to
other alumni and community members?
A: I want people to see that giving isn’t just about money;
it’s about investing in people. President Williams said it
well—it’s an example of Hampton pride and a commitment
to the future. Our institutions, especially Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), need our support to
continue their vital mission. I hope our donation inspires
other Hamptonians to give what they can, whether it’s
their time, their skills, or their resources, to ensure that
the “Home by the Sea” continues to shape lives and
secure our shared legacy.