African-American Community Foundation - Thyrsa Frazier Svager Scholarship Grant

The African-American Community Foundation - Thyrsa Frazier Svager Scholarship, offered by The Dayton Foundation, supports African-American women studying mathematics at select universities. This scholarship honors Dr. Thyrsa Frazier Svager, a pioneering mathematician and educator. Applicants must be full-time students with a GPA of B or better, and have sophomore, junior, or senior status. This initiative aims to promote educational equity and empower underrepresented students in the STEM fields.

The Dayton Foundation
It helps individuals, families, and organizations fulfill their charitable goals by managing permanent funds, awarding grants, and offering scholarships. Having awarded over $1.2 billion in grants and managing more than 4,100 funds, the Foundation acts as a significant regional philanthropic partner committed to strengthening the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the community.
Mission and Priorities
The Foundation’s mission is to help donors and organizations "help others" through philanthropic services, strategic grantmaking, and community leadership. With a vision of creating a vibrant and inclusive Greater Dayton, the Foundation focuses on building capacity for nonprofits, promoting equitable opportunities, and collaborating across sectors to address community challenges. Its priorities include supporting education and workforce development, enhancing health and human services, advancing arts and culture, and responding to urgent regional needs through initiatives like disaster relief and community recovery.
African-American Community Foundation - Thyrsa Frazier Svager Scholarship
Born in 1930, Thyrsa Frazier Svager achieved what few African-American women of her generation have in the field of education. A brilliant mathematician with a genius level IQ, Dr. Svager graduated from the Wilberforce University Preparatory Academy at the young age of 15. She attended Antioch College for her undergraduate studies and was one of only four African-American students at the time. Another student was her close friend, Coretta Scott King. Dr. Svager earned her master's degree and doctorate from The Ohio State University, becoming one of the first African-American women in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics. She had a long and distinguished career at Central State University that began in 1954 as an assistant professor of mathematics and concluded upon her retirement in 1993 as provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Eligibility

Be African-American women attending Central State University, Wilberforce University, Wright State University, the University of Dayton, Howard University or Spelman College,Have sophomore, junior or senior status,Be majoring in mathematics,Be enrolled as a full-time student as determined by the respective institution, andHave a GPA of B or better.