This scholarship was created in 2021 by one of Stephen’s fraternity brothers to pay tribute to how he lived every aspect of his life with faith, love, passion, determination and tremendous courage. Eligible candidates will be incoming African American undergraduate students enrolled full time at UVA. Recipients will be residents of an Eastern seaboard state – SC, NC, VA, DC, MD, DE, PA, NJ or NY, and have displayed exemplary performance in academics and community service. Students must also demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: June 1, 2024
Amount: $5,000
Stephen Vincent Pearce (1970–2020)
Stephen Pearce graduated from the University of Virginia in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing/Management (Com ’92) and then earned an MBA in Finance from the A.B. Freedman School of Business at Tulane University. After building his career in New York, he moved to South Africa and worked in the financial sector for two decades, starting as an associate for McKinsey & Company and culminating as a senior vice president and investment banker for Musa Capital. While at UVA, Steve was involved with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Eta Sigma Chapter, Spring 1989), the Black Greek Association, Inter-Fraternity Council, and Black Enterprisers, among other organizations.
In South Africa, Steve met and married the love of his life, Toa Malumo. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters and Toa’s son. Steve truly embraced the rich and diverse cultural tapestry of his extended family while never discarding his African American heritage. He led his life with a purpose and passion that connected him with family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances all over the globe.
Steve lived his life with optimism, faith, love, determination, and gratitude, and passed away at the age of 49 after a courageous battle with cancer. To honor Steve and pay tribute to how he lived his life, the Stephen Vincent Pearce Memorial Scholarship was established in January 2021 by Myke Scholl and The Gyift Foundation on behalf of family, fraternity brothers, and friends. This memorial scholarship embodies Steve because he would want nothing more than to help as many students as possible strive for academic excellence, pursue their dreams, and grow into future leaders.