Willie McLendon & David Carter Annual Scholarship Luncheon

Willie Braxton McLendon was a quiet, reflective and committed humanitarian of great proportion. He was a Navy veteran, retired postal official, novice investor, civic leader, Prince Hall Mason (Thirty-third Degree), Past Master of Excelsior Lodge #3, Hartford, Ct. Honorary Past Master of Composite Lodge #22 of Bloomfield, Ct., Past Potentate, Makalia Temple # 172, Hartford, Prince Hall Shriners, Honorary Past Grand Master, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut, Free and Accepted Masons, founding member of the Cape Diem Fraternity of Hartford and Philanthropist. Willie B. McLendon had a passion for education and the success that it potentially assured everyone who obtained a post secondary education degree or certification. 

He strongly felt that it was imperative that young men of color needed an education to enhance their “life chances” for future success. Many of his life-long charitable endeavors were geared towards fulfilling his desire to assist young people in acquiring better educational opportunities. At every level of involvement, “Willie B.” always considered the long term progress and welfare of young people of color in particular.

McLendon’s vision which has been passed along to Composite Lodge #22 was to establish an endowed scholarship which would assist promising young men of color annually who elected to attend a Connecticut State University (Central, Eastern, Southern, Western) or a Historically Black College or University. Upon his passing, he began to make real our vision when he bequeathed a modest sum to Composite Lodge to carry out his vision and legacy.

On March 29, 2015, Composite Lodge launched the first annual Willie Braxton McLendon Scholarship Brunch and Student of Color Education Progress Report Experience which was held at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

Sustaining support is sought from the Metro Hartford Community to grow the noble vision and legacy of Willie Braxton McLendon with financial contributions in the form of attending the annual brunch or purchasing advertisement space in the program journal.

 David G. Carter, Sr., served as the chancellor of the Connecticut State University System. During his extremely successful tenure he provided oversight of the operations and management of Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut University, and Western Connecticut State University, which comprised the Connecticut State   

University System. His innovative approaches led to the vast improvements in the infrastructure, program offerings, student enrollment and diversity by the system at the four universities.

Prior to serving as chancellor, Dr. Carter served as the fifth president of Eastern Connecticut State University. He was the first African-American appointed as president of a four-year institution of higher education in Connecticut. Before his appointment as the president of Eastern, his illustrious career was honed at the University of Connecticut and Pennsylvania State University where he held several administrative positions that had increasing responsibilities. The last position held at the University of Connecticut was associate vice president for academic affairs.

Dr. Carter was highly published in many professional journals and chapters in books. He also received many honors and citations for his tireless work on the behalf of education, students and communities around the country. Among some of the awards he received were: NAACP Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award, the Outstanding Service and Leadership in Enhancing International Education Award, the Tapestry Award from the Hartford Courant and the Connecticut Grand Lodge Order Sons of Italy in America and Honorary Past Grand Master of Prince Hall Masons in Connecticut.

May all of his good works be cemented and new work begun by all of us who were influenced by his work, so that it can be passed on to future generations! 

Updates forthcoming ...

Updates forthcoming ...