Benjamin George
Dirden II Memorial Scholarship
The Benjamin George Dirden II Memorial Scholarship honors the life,
legacy, and service of Brother Benjamin Dirden II, an eminent son of the City
of Detroit whose life embodied education, mentorship, and principled
leadership.
Brother Dirden’s formative years were shaped by the rigor and resilience
emblematic of Detroit itself. He completed his secondary education at Cooley
High School before earning his Bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University.
While at Wayne State, he aligned himself with the distinguished brotherhood of
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., where he cultivated a lifelong commitment to
leadership, service, and uplift.
Following graduation, Brother Dirden dedicated his professional life to
the Detroit Public Schools, embarking upon a vocation grounded in pedagogy,
mentorship, and institutional stewardship. His career evolved from classroom
instruction to educational administration, where he was known for his optimism,
moral resolve, and rare ability to awaken in others a belief in possibilities
beyond their own self-imposed limitations.
Beyond his professional and fraternal affiliations, Brother Dirden was a
devoted husband and father whose influence extended far beyond titles or
positions. He touched countless lives through compassion, intellectual
generosity, and an abiding faith in human potential. This scholarship stands as
a living testament to his enduring legacy and commitment to educational
excellence.
Scholarship Award
The Benjamin George Dirden II Memorial
Scholarship provides a $1,000 financial award to support deserving students in
advancing their academic goals while contributing positively to their
communities.
Essay Requirement
Applicants must submit a 500-word essay responding to the following
prompt:
“If awarded the Benjamin Dirden
Memorial Scholarship, how will it impact your academic and personal goals? How
will you utilize the scholarship to advance your studies and contribute to your
community?”
Required Documents
Applicants must upload one (1) of the following:
- Letter of Acceptance from Wayne
State University
- Official Academic Transcript
How to Apply Online
To apply for the Benjamin George Dirden II Memorial Scholarship:
- Visit the Nu Sigma Foundation
website
- Navigate to the Scholarships
section
- Select the Benjamin George Dirden
II Memorial Scholarship
- Complete the online application
form
- Upload all required documents and
submit your essay
- Submit your application by the
stated deadline
Applicants will receive a confirmation email once their application has
been successfully submitted.
A Legacy of Service
Through this scholarship, we honor Brother Dirden’s unwavering belief in
education as a transformative force and continue his mission of uplifting
future generations. We invite qualified students who share his values of
leadership, service, and perseverance to apply.