Applications are being accepted for the Revered Canon A. Gerard Jordan Scholarship established by the Jordan Family and The Tolton Ambassadors of Louisiana. The deadline to submit applications is June 30, 2026.
The scholarship, to be awarded in the amount of $500, will focus on a single mother enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university and will be awarded annually in the fall semester. The presentation of the scholarship award will be in conjunction with an event for the first recognizably African American Roman Catholic Priest in the United States, the Venerable Father Augustus Tolton.
Each scholarship applicant will be required to submit a personal needs statement of no more than 500 words indicating why she thinks she deserves this financial assistance and why she thinks she is the best candidate for this scholarship. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required. In addition, each applicant must submit official college or university transcripts along with two letters of recommendation.
Canon Jordan was born in Lafayette and grew up in Lake Charles until he was 18 years old. He was educated by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament while attending Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School and was a 1985 graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School.
Following a business career, Gerard studied preaching at the Institute of Black Catholic Studies, Xavier University. He then earned a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He professed solemn vows August 2014 and became a deacon a year later.
Canon Jordan was ordained a priest on July 9, 2016, and was one of only four African American canons in the United States before his death in 2022. Additionally, he was a Titular Canon of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and was the first African American seminarian to be given the privilege of becoming a Papal Knight in the same regard. While still a seminarian, Gerard was appointed a Special Assistant for the cause for canonization of Father Augustus Tolton.
In September 2020, he became the inaugural Executive Director of the newly established Tolton Spirituality Center designed for parishes and community institutions to share their insights and practices that encourage living with the values and virtues that defined Tolton’s life and legacy.
A committee of judges will review all applications and select the winner based on academic achievement, financial need, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
For more information on eligibility, additional requirements, and instructions on how to complete the online application form, please contact Dr. Ann Pitre at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 337-263-0409. If mailing the application, postmark must be no later than June 30, 2026, and mailed to: Tolton Ambassadors of Louisiana, P.O. Box 16087, Lake Charles, LA 70616.
