Honors student included among 2024-25 Fred Gray Scholars
Scholarship founded to support students who have the passion, creativity, empathy and determination to become the next generation of civic leaders.
From Staff Reports |
The 2024-25 Fred D. Gray Scholars are, from left to right, Jackson Francis, Janeyah Anderson, Shythaly Herrera and Rainey Hoffman.
Senior Shythaly Herrera (BA ’25) of Nashville, a double major in law, justice & society and political science, was selected by the College of Leadership & Public Service (CLPS) as one of four recipients of the Fred D. Gray Scholarship for the 2024-25 school year.
The Fred D. Gray Scholarship was founded to support students who have the passion, creativity, empathy and determination to become the next generation of civic leaders. Established in 2017, the Fred D. Gray scholarship honors and helps Lipscomb students pursue their education in the world of law. The scholarship honors the legacy of Fred D. Gray and is awarded to students who are working to become the next generation of Fred Grays.
Gray began his legal career at the age of 24 as a sole practitioner fresh out of law school. When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus, Gray represented her and aided in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. He also represented the Freedom Riders, filed the lawsuits that desegregated Alabama schools, and was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s first civil rights lawyer.
Herrera said that through the Gray scholarship program: “I’ve had experiences that have shaped how I view the field I want to pursue. I’ve been to the Supreme Court to hear oral arguments, visited the Department of Justice and spent time in local drug courts, which has given me such a unique perspective.
“It pushes me to keep working hard, stay determined and give my best,” said Herrera, who wants to pursue a career as a defense attorney. “To be recognized in connection with someone who was the attorney for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, it’s surreal and such a motivator for me.
“It’s truly amazing to reflect on the work that Fred Gray has been involved in throughout his life. The fact that he’s still making an impact by giving back to the community is such an inspiration,” said Herrera, who was also named a Gray Scholar in the 2023-24 school year. “It motivates me to do the same in my own career and to strive for that kind of lasting influence.”