"Hold Fast to Dreams" Scholarship

"Hold Fast to Dreams" Scholarship Guidelines

DCCCD’s citywide African American Read-In is a national model for other literacy program events and has created several literacy initiatives, including the George Dawson Literacy Awareness Campaign.

Through the Dawson campaign, four George Dawson “Hold Fast to Dreams” scholarships were awarded in 2006 to DCCCD students from the U.S. and other countries. The late George Dawson, a former south Dallas resident who learned to read at age 98 and wrote his autobiography (Life Is So Good), is the read-in’s literacy hero.

George Dawson was a wise man. From his childhood days as a farm laborer in rural Texas to his twilight years as a notable author and full-time student in Dallas, Mr. Dawson never stopped learning. His life and his determination to learn to read at age 98 serves as an inspiration to many young children across the country and to those who seek goodness in a changing world. His story and his legacy will be remembered for many generations to come.

The Dallas County Community Colleges Foundation has established a scholarship fund in memory of Mr. Dawson to honor his achievements and help those students who exemplify devotion to literacy and lifelong education. Your contribution is greatly appreciated in helping us to establish a permanent endowment and ensure that our students' dreams are realized in a life so good.

Download the donor form (pdf - 543 kb) to support the George Dawson "Hold Fast to Dreams" Scholarship fund to help deserving students in the Dallas County Community Colleges achieve their dreams. Your contribution is tax deductible and will go entirely to the scholarship fund.