James Patterson and His Foundation Renews $75,000 Scholarship Gift to Bowie State University

(BOWIE, Md.) — Bowie State University is pleased to announce that The Patterson Family Foundation has renewed its generous support of $75,000 for scholarships benefiting students with aspirations of becoming writers and educators. 

The gift continues the foundation’s initial investment of $75,000 to support 10 Bowie State students selected during the 2024–25 academic year. The scholarships are awarded to full-time undergraduate and graduate English majors, including those with concentrations in creative writing and secondary education. 

“James Patterson and The Patterson Family Foundation exemplify the transformative impact of sustained investment in student success,” said Brent Swinton, vice president of philanthropic engagement at Bowie State. “Their support for our aspiring writers is helping these students stay on the path to graduation and empowers the next generation of storytellers and educators whose voices will shape our communities for years to come.” 

For more information about scholarship opportunities and donor support at Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu/giving.

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. Bowie State has earned the ‘Research College and University’ designation in the 2025 Carnegie Research Activity Classification. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311