Annual Report 2019-2020
Keeping the Flame Alive
Endowed Fund Turns Tragedy Into Inspiration
From the darkness of great loss, the light of inspiration can emerge. That became a defining narrative for Keisha Perrin after the tragic death of her son, rising Bowie State University junior Keshon Nowlin, in a hit-and-run car accident in August 2019. Nowlin was a computer science major and Mr. Black and Gold as a member of the BSU Royal Court. His death was a devastating loss to his family, friends and the Bowie State community.
Keshon Nowlin (left) embraces his mother, Keisha Perrin (right).
Humbled by an outpouring of love and support, Perrin looked for ways to keep her son’s legacy alive with a lasting tribute to his flame that encouraged, inspired and encouraged others to strive for more. Perrin set out to create the Keshon Nowlin Memorial Endowed Scholarship to provide others with the opportunity to earn a college education. Through donations from family, friends and coworkers, including a major gift from one of Perrin’s colleagues, the fund was fully endowed in less than a year, meaning that it was ready to earn interest income toward its first scholarship award.
“I want others to experience the inspiration that my son found at Bowie State University where he blossomed into a self-confident young man,” she said. “The fact that it has come together so quickly makes me grateful. To have the biggest donation come from someone who works for me was jaw-dropping.”
The endowed fund will provide scholarships to seniors from the state of Maryland who are majoring in a computer or technology-related field. Perrin encouraged Nowlin to be an inspiration to others, and her quiet strength has inspired many to donate in her son’s memory.
Let your light be an inspiration to others to make a lasting impact through a Bowie State University endowment fund.
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