Pres. Scott Hagan and George Floyd Scholarship winner Derek Bergin stand in front of Miller Hall

North Central University names first George Floyd scholarship winner

Derek Burgin of Moline, Illinois, has been selected as the first recipient of North Central University’s George Floyd Memorial Scholarship. The full-tuition, four-year scholarship, named to recognize a pivotal moment in our city’s and our nation’s story, provides a way to invest in a new generation of young Black Americans poised and ready to be leaders in our community and our country.

In a letter of recommendation for Burgin, Derrick Michaels, Youth Pastor at Mighty Fortress Community Church (Moline), said, “Derek has always had a heart for others. He has been involved with many outreach- and community-based operations. He has helped feed the homeless at our local shelter; he has walked neighborhoods picking up trash to serve others. He always puts others before himself.”

Defying statistics

Burgin did not have an easy childhood. “During my youth, both my parents were never really in the picture,” Burgin said. “My mom struggled with a bad past, and my dad’s plain absence in my life drove me to bounce from house to house; however, when I was four years old, my grandparents took me in and have been my ‘parents’ ever since.’”

Michaels noted, “Derek’s story is remarkable. Statistics say he should not be going to college. Statistics say he should be in trouble or even prison. Statistics say he should not be applying for this scholarship. Yet he has persevered despite his story. Raised by grandparents who love him, he hasn’t been handed anything and has had to work his tail off to get what he has. I believe that given an opportunity, he will be a world changer.”

Burgin was thrilled when he learned he had received the scholarship. “My heart was pounding,” he exclaimed. “I felt a rush of excitement. I honestly feel like everything is going to start with this scholarship,” referring not just to his scholarship but also the scholarships at institutions across this country. “I was talking to President Hagan, and there are 28 other universities, each one having at least one winner, each one representing a new era of black scholars.”

Leaders of tomorrow

As a senior in high school last year, Burgin started a new club called Minority Leaders of Tomorrow, aimed at bringing together African American and Hispanic students, focusing on being the future and striving to be excellent scholars.

The experience of starting a club provided tremendous leadership opportunities. “I learned that it’s hard being a leader,” Burgin exclaimed. There is a lot of pressure—trying to get things rolling, coming up with new ideas and new processes, finding funding, and getting the word out.” But he found the experience highly rewarding and looks forward
to being part of groups and initiating things at NCU.

Burgin is now at North Central as a freshman majoring in Psychology and minoring in Youth, Children, and Family Ministries. He wants to be a counselor at his high school in Moline. “I loved my teachers, I loved my counselors, and my administrative leaders,” he said.

“They supported me for every dream that I had, and I want to be that support system for someone else.”

Scholarship finalists

The committee that selected Burgin for the award said there were several highly qualified applicants, and it was a difficult decision. In addition to awarding Burgin a full, four-year scholarship, three returning students, Justice Cobb, Micah Jones, and Grace Renstrom were recognized as finalists and received one-year awards of $1,000 each.

Burgin is thrilled to be at North Central and expressed gratitude toward the donors that made the scholarship possible. In his scholarship essay, Burgin wrote, “In the long term, I believe everyone can put their mark in this world, whether it be big or small, and I believe North Central is the key to mine.”

See more about Derek’s story from Fox 9 and WCCO.

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