Index
Scholarships
The Class of 1981 Roy Alexander Ellis Scholarship
The Class of 1981 Roy Alexander Ellis Scholarship was established in 1991 on the occasion of the 10th reunion of the class. Named for a member of the Class of 1924, one of the first African-American graduates of the College, it is awarded to an entering minority student.
Between its founding in 1812 and World War I, Hamilton College only enrolled one African-American student, Joseph Spurlark, Class of 1889. Between 1919 and 1921, six African-American students were admitted from Dunbar High School, a prestigious school near Washington, D.C. Among them was Roy A. Ellis, Class of 1924.
According to Hamilton professor and historian, Maurice Isserman, the students did not feel completely welcome at Hamilton. Roy Ellis, on behalf of himself and the other African-American students, sent a letter to Hamilton’s Elihu Root in November 1921, calling to his attention the frequent use of racial slurs directed toward them. Ellis wrote, "To the American Negro of today, it is a gross insult. Garner, Class of 1923, and I were in the United States Army during the World War. We risked our lives for Democracy; we are American citizens, and are not to be insulted or ridiculed because of the unfortunate conditions of servitude of our forefathers or because of the hue of our skin. Least of all, we do not expect this at Hamilton College, here, where a man’s ideals are supposed to be more elevated than among the common pack." Root responded quickly, expressing empathy with their situation and encouraging them to finish their education.
August 2014
Please note: The named scholarships profiled on these pages are awarded as part of the College’s need-based financial aid packages. These funds help ensure the Hamilton Promise of keeping education affordable through meeting a student’s full demonstrated financial need.
Materials published here were diligently researched and written by students who strived for historical accuracy.
