BETA SIGMA BOULÉ OF SIGMA PI PHI FRATERNITY HONORED
HOWARD L. EDMONDS WITH SCHOLARSHIP IN HIS NAME
he Beta Sigma Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi
Fraternity hosted a recognition dinner to pay
tribute to retired educator Howard (“Howie”) L.
Edmonds and to mark the formation of a
scholarship in his honor in
recognition of his legacy as a prominent educator in
the Springfield Public Schools and his outstanding
community service. “I am so honored to be recognized
for something that I have been passionate about all
my life—the education of young people,” said
Edmonds. “I am very excited about what this
scholarship may mean to a young person in our
community.”
Howard L. Edmonds, age 96, was born in 1914 in
Bakersville, Virginia. He graduated from Virginia
State University and taught in the Springfield
school system for 23 years until he retired in 1983.
He is beloved and respected by his former colleagues
and students and their parents for his patience,
poise, and dignity. Edmonds is also highly regarded
for his community service through his involvement in
several social and civic organizations, including
Dunbar Community Center, Camp Atwater, Urban League,
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Beta Sigma Boulé, and St.
John’s Congregational Church. He and his wife,
Josephine, have been married for 52 years and
continue to reside in Springfield.
“It is with tremendous pride that we name a
scholarship in honor of Howard Edmonds, who has
always demonstrated such a selfless commitment to
others. His leadership, character, and service have
inspired so many to work hard to maximize their full
potential,” stated Frank Robinson, Sire Archon of
Beta Sigma Boulé. “We can’t thank him enough for all
he has done.”
The scholarship is targeted to college-bound, black
males who have a strong track record in academics,
leadership, and community service. Ezekiel Nwarfor,
a graduating senior at Roger L. Putnam Vocational
Technical High School, was selected as the first
recipient of the Howard L. Edmonds Scholarship. He
will receive a $4,000 award, with annual
disbursements of $1,000 over four years. Mr. Nwarfor
had a 3.5 grade point average at Putnam and was
involved in several extracurricular activities,
including being captain of both the football
and wrestling teams. He plans to attend the
University of Massachusetts Amherst and major in
computer science.
About Sigma Pi Phi
Fraternity
Founded May 15, 1904, Sigma
Pi Phi Fraternity, known as the Boulé, is the oldest
Greek-letter organization comprised primarily of
African American men. Its mission is to address
public policy issues that are responsive to the
social, economic, and educational needs of the
African American Community. The Boulé has more than
5,000 members and 119 chapters throughout the United
States and the Caribbean. Beta Sigma Boulé, the
local chapter based in Springfield, Massachusetts,
was founded in 1983.
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