Lionel Walton arrived at Morgan State University in 1985 not as a traditional student, but as a man already tested by life — a Soldier, a husband, and a dreamer who refused to let circumstance define his ceiling.  He was a man centered in his faith and of the utmost character. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1989, completed Morgan's Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program as a Distinguished Military Graduate, and went on to serve his country with the kind of discipline, precision, and courage that earned him the Bronze Star Medal.  He did all of this, famously, without an SAT score and with little more than basic math from high school.  He simply dared to dream big.
 
The Lionel Walton Memorial Scholarship honors students at Morgan State University who carry that same spirit as Lionel Walton.  The University will present this award annually to a student enrolled in the ROTC program, pursuing a degree in Accounting, or charting their own non-traditional path to higher education.  The selection committee prioritizes students who demonstrate perseverance in the face of real obstacles and a commitment to serving something larger than themselves.