Grambling, LA – A Grambling State University student has been awarded a one-year college scholarship and a summer internship at Apple’s headquarters in California as part of a new initiative by Apple to invest in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Darnel Williams is one of 30 students who are members of the first cohort of the Apple HBCU Scholars Program. Denise Young-Smith, vice president for worldwide human resources at Apple and a graduate of Grambling State University, announced the winners at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 14-15.

“I don’t know how to relate how I feel,” Williams said. “I am very excited because it is Apple. This is a company where they have a lot of great minds, and I hope to bring my knowledge to what they are doing and to learn a lot from the people who already work there.”

Scheduled to graduate in May 2017, Williams is a junior from La Plaine, Dominica pursuing a double major in electronic engineering technology and mathematics and physics. He is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

The scholarship includes up to $25,000 for the students’ senior year of college; a summer internship in Cupertino, California; participation in a year-round program to prepare for post-graduation careers; pairing with an Apple mentor during their senior year; the opportunity to serve as ambassadors on their campuses to build awareness about the Apple and TMCF Diversity Initiative; an invitation to attend TMCF’s Annual Leadership Institute; and participation in the Apple HBCU Immersion Experience in Cupertino.

“This program is about exposing gifted students from HBCUs to a career in technology. We’re big believers that innovation will be strongest when talented people from diverse backgrounds are part of the creative process,” said Young-Smith. “That’s why we’re so proud to be partnering with TMCF to help us find the next generation of innovators.”

The Apple HBCU Scholars Program is the first of several programs under the new Apple and TMCF Diversity Initiative. In March, Apple and TMCF announced a partnership to identify, develop and harness talent from the nation’s community of HBCUs. The over $40 million multi-year commitment from Apple is the largest and most comprehensive corporate investment ever given exclusively for students and faculty of four-year HBCUs.

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