NORFOLK, Va. (August 16, 2024) -Â Morgan State University student-athletes Justyus Jackson and Lawrence Richardson have been recognized for their academic and athletic achievements with the prestigious 2024 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Post Graduate Scholarship. This esteemed scholarship supports exceptional students pursuing graduate studies, recognizing their contributions to the conference and their commitment to academic excellence.
Justyus Jackson, a middle blocker on the women's volleyball team, graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology after competing for three seasons with the Lady Bears. As a recipient of the MEAC Post Graduate Scholarship, Jackson will continue her education at Morgan State, pursuing a degree in dentistry with aspirations of becoming the first doctor in her family. Throughout her volleyball career, she earned MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic team accolades during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. She ranked in the top 10 in the MEAC for both hitting percentage and blocks in consecutive seasons. Jackson was also named team MVP following the 2022 season and concluded her Morgan State career with a total of 163 blocks, 350 kills, and a .265 hitting percentage.
Â
Â
Lawrence Richardson, a linebacker on the MSU football team, graduated with a degree in biology and is currently pursuing his master's degree in business administration. As the male recipient of the MEAC Post Graduate Scholarship, Richardson aspires to own and operate an orthopedic practice. Throughout his football career, Richardson was one of the conference's premier linebackers, earning MEAC Third Team All-Conference honors in the 2022 season after being ranked fifth in the MEAC with 77 tackles (48 solo, 29 assisted). At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Richardson received Phil Steele FCS All-MEAC Second Team honors at linebacker. Additionally, he was recognized on the Bluebloods All-MEAC First Team and received NFF Hampshire Honor Society accolades, along with being listed among the top 100 HBCU NFL draft-eligible football players. Richardson finished the 2023 season ranked sixth on the team with 50 total tackles, including 4.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Â
"Presenting these post graduate scholarships brings me great pleasure as they allow these two student athletes the opportunity to set the trajectory towards fulfilling their career aspirations," said Commissioner Sonja Stills.  "These student-athletes have demonstrated remarkable dedication and resilience, standing out as exemplary models of what it means to excel both on and off their respective competition surfaces. We take pride in our MEAC alumni, who remain deeply integrated with their alma maters, continually influencing and inspiring the next generation. Congratulations to these remarkable student athletes, and we support you as you embark on your future endeavors."
The MEAC Post Graduate Scholarship is a testament to the outstanding caliber of Morgan State student-athletes. Jackson and Richardson exemplify the university's commitment to providing a well-rounded education that empowers students to succeed in both athletics and academics.Â
Â
FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACEÂ
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more.Â
• Follow us on social media:
 Facebook: /MorganStateBears
 Twitter: @MorganStBears
 Instagram: /MorganStateBears
ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
Â
Â
