The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship in the Florida State University College of Business recognized freshmen Jerry Jean-Pierre and Robel Mechal as 2018 Jim Moran Scholars Wednesday evening.
The special reception, led by FSU President John Thrasher and Jan Moran at the Jim Moran Building in downtown Tallahassee, also celebrated the accomplishments of Hakeem Hunter — the 2017 Jim Moran Scholar.
Each year, the Jim Moran Foundation and FSU recognize two African-American students from South Florida and North Florida who have distinguished themselves as role models. Jim Moran Scholars receive a four-year, needs-based scholarship funded by the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship.
“We were thrilled to provide Jerry and Robel with the opportunity to attend Florida State,” said Bruce Lamont, the Jim Moran Eminent Scholar in business administration and director of research at the Jim Moran Institute. “We are confident they will represent the university and themselves with dignity and pride and uphold the character of Jim Moran.”
Jean-Pierre, the 2018 South Florida Jim Moran Scholar, graduated second in his class at North Miami Senior High School. In addition to participating in the International Baccalaureate® Programme, he held high school leadership positions, including vice president of the engineering club, fundraising vice president for the BookMasters club and founding member of the Seeds of Change gardening club. Jean-Pierre is majoring in pre-computer engineering and hopes to start a technology company one day.
Mechal, the 2018 North Florida Jim Moran Scholar, graduated from Darnell Cookman School of the Medical Arts with dual enrollment through Florida State College in Jacksonville. Mechal emigrated to the United States from Ethiopia with his family in 2009. In high school, he was a member of the Key Club, National Honor Society, Rho Kappa Honor Society and the Mayor’s Young Leaders Advisory Council in Jacksonville. He’s majoring in biological science.
The 2017 Jim Moran Scholar, Hakeem Hunter, was born in Panama and graduated from Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach where he also completed an associate degree through the College Academy at Broward College. Hunter is a sophomore majoring in sociology.
To learn more about the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship’s programs and events, contact Calvin Burrows or visit JMI online.
About the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship
The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship cultivates, trains and inspires entrepreneurial leaders through world-class executive education, applied training, public recognition and leading-edge research. Jim Moran started his business career in Chicago selling soda pop at sandlot baseball diamonds at the age of 7 and went on to become one of America’s most successful business owners. A 1995 contribution from Jim and Jan Moran and JM Family Enterprises established the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at the Florida State University College of Business to help others become successful entrepreneurs. Since 2011, further enhancements to the Jim Moran Institute and its outreach have been made possible by Jan Moran and The Jim Moran Foundation.