Ozell Franklin

Scholar-athlete honored.

At age 15, Ozell Franklin was going nowhere. By his own account, he went through some tough times. The Rush-Henrietta High School freshman’s grades were mostly Cs and Ds.
Fortunately, sports, his school, and his family turned him around. “If I wanted to play basketball, I had to keep up my grades and attendance,” he recalls. “And my family expected me to present myself well.”

By senior year Ozell’s grades were up; he also worked summers, volunteered, played basketball, and was involved in other school and church activities. Teachers described him as talented, dedicated, well-rounded, an excellent student, a natural leader who “wants to be successful and knows what it takes.” He was honored as an Urban League Black Scholar. Colleges had been interested in his athletic ability and encouraging him to apply.

Ozell chose St. John Fisher College because of its basketball team and because “they had the right people to help me reach my dream of success in business.” He’s working toward a degree in marketing.

Based on his record, and financial need, we awarded Ozell a William E. McNight Scholarship to Fisher, where he continues to stand out. As a Fisher freshman, Ozell was honored as 2008 Co-Rookie of the Year in men's basketball by the Empire 8 conference.

McKnight scholars must demonstrate the qualities characteristic of it’s the man it honors-the capacity for high-quality intellectual work and achievement and a depth of understanding and personal insight into people of all backgrounds. The award, to a graduating black senior from an area high school, is renewable for up to four years of college.

The McKnight Scholarship is one of 500 scholarships totalling roughly $450,000 we award annually to students across our region.