Announcing the Amos-Wicks AI Research Endowed Scholarship Fund
Announcing the Amos-Wicks AI Research Endowed Scholarship Fund
Honoring Our Legacy
The Amos-Wicks AI Research Endowed Scholarship Fund honors the memory and legacy of remarkable individuals whose lives exemplified dedication, innovation, and community impact:
- James Rynold Amos, 1st Cousin and computer-savvy programmer.
- Lucinda Watson-Amos, Maternal Grandmother, educator, and community leader.
- Adam Amos, Maternal Grandfather and entrepreneur.
- Lucille Wicks-Kilgore, paternal aunt and educator.
- Louise Wicks, Fraternal Grandmother and sustainable farmer.
- Eluster Wicks, Sr., Fraternal Grandfather, barber, and construction specialist.
How the Scholarship Works
The Amos-Wicks AI Research Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually to the Belhaven University student who submits the best research proposal paper on how AI can be applied to one or more of the focus areas:
- Cancer Diagnosis
- Chronic Illness Monitoring
- Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
The scholarship is anticipated to launch in 2026 or 2027. While preparations are underway, students are encouraged to explore opportunities to apply for NIH grants to fund formal studies in these groundbreaking research areas. 
Join Us in Supporting This Mission
This scholarship reflects a commitment to fostering innovation, ethical responsibility, and transformative healthcare solutions. You can help us achieve this vision by:
- Donating to the scholarship fund to ensure its sustainability and impact.
- Partnering with us to provide mentorship opportunities for aspiring researchers.
Request for Donations
We invite you to contribute to the Amos-Wicks AI Research Endowed Scholarship Fund, honoring individuals who have faced significant health challenges such as cancer, chronic diseases, or Parkinson's. By sharing their stories and donating, you help us support groundbreaking research and honor their legacy.
Donation Instructions
We greatly appreciate your support for the Amos-Wicks AI Research Endowed Scholarship Fund. Here are two convenient ways to donate:
1. Mail a Check
Please send checks made out to Belhaven University to:
Belhaven University
1500 Peachtree Street, Box 158
Jackson, MS 39202
Include in the memo line of the check: Amos-Wicks AI Research Endowed Scholarship
2. Donate Online
You can donate online by visiting the following link:
When completing the online form, select "Amos-Wicks AI Research Endowed Scholarship" as your Area of Support. Complete the rest of the form and enter your payment information. All funds will be applied directly to the Endowed Scholarship. All gifts are tax-deductible, and they will receive a tax-deductible receipt.
Honoree Stories
Feel free to donate on behalf of a loved one. Please share your loved one's story with us so that we can feature it on the scholarship website. Include details such as:
- Their diagnosis and journey, including the challenges they faced.
- The treatments they underwent, and their resilience throughout the process.
- The impact on their family and community, highlighting their legacy.
Your tribute will inspire others and contribute to the fight against these illnesses through the power of education and research.
Contact Us
For more information about the Amos-Wicks AI Research Endowed Scholarship Fund or ways to contribute, please contact:
Dr. Corky Wicks
Director, The Catalyst At Belhaven
cwicks@thecatalystatbelhaven.org
Honoree Stories
James Rynold Amos
(December 21, 2024)
In Tibbee's winds, the Honda would roar,
Freedom's song, dreams to explore.
Rick James riffs and Georgio Brutini style,
You walked with grace, your dreams compiled.
Jackson State, the journey began,
A determined young man.
Through screens aglow, you shaped the code,
Carving paths where dreams flowed.
Bicycles with steering wheels unique,
In Tibbee, your genius would speak.
A hustler's grind, a spirit so bright,
Faith and family your guiding light.
First cousins tight, like a groove so smooth,
The beat of our bond made the world move.
Laughter and loyalty, thick as thieves,
Sharing dreams, our spirits weaved.
You fought cancer with courage strong,
A battle fierce, though not for long.
How lucky are we, spared the grief
Of burying friends lost to violence's thief.
You left not by fault, no action of your own,
But through a disease that claimed your home.
Yet your legacy calls for us to aspire,
To lift our hearts and stoke the fire.
With faith and fortitude, we'll carry the flame,
Honoring your life, advancing your name.
Now in heaven, your smile will gleam,
With Martha, Lucinda, and Adam in a heavenly team.
You loved your Aunt Carrie and Aunt Rose to death,
Their love a comfort till your final breath.
The Amos-Wicks AI Research Scholarship Fund lights the way,
Building bridges for minds to sway.
To find answers in the silent hum,
To chase the light where hope comes from.
And with S.H.U.C.K. C.A.N.C.E.R., we'll fight on,
Your strength a rhythm, your light a song.
May healing come for the loves of your life,
Nia, Jamar, and Jakory, bright.
Your children's hearts wrapped in memory,
Guided by your spirit in all they see.
For you were a son of the soil, strong and wise,
A star that rose to claim the skies.
Rest now, dear James, with dreams well done,
Your life's melody, a rising sun.
– Tribute to James Rynold Amos
Honoree Stories
Lucille Kilgore
Lucille Kilgore was born on January 26, 1947, and passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2011. Lucille lived in Leesville, Louisiana, but moved in with her daughter in Texas during her illness. Funeral services were held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2011, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Leesville, with Reverend Joseph Garner officiating. Services were under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville. Visitation was held Monday, April 11, 2011, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Leesville. Visitation was also held from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at the Carter's Mortuary in West Point, Mississippi. Graveside services were held at 3:00 p.m. at the Tibbee Community Cemetery in Tibbee, Mississippi. This manuscript is written in honor of her loving memory and her valiant battle against cancer until her untimely battle ended in 2011.
Poem
God saw Lucille getting tired.
When a cure was not to be.
So, HE wrapped HIS arms around her,
And whispered, "Come to me".
You didn't deserve what you went through.
So, HE gave you rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
HE took one of the best.
And when I see her sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain
I could not wish you back
To suffer that again.
– Bryanna Lonsdale, edited by Corky Wicks
Tribute
The guardian angel, the Go-Giver (Burg, 2012), and an amazing woman. Aunt Lucille was all those things. As a child, I remember the few weeks in the summer that I could get to Leesville, Louisiana. My aunt would take me and her next-door neighbor's kid to Six Flags and spend several hours playing with us in the yard. Surprisingly, I do not remember a single trip to the mall, although my Aunt Cille was a legendary shopper. Aunt Cille never met a shopping center that she did not like.
If giving is the key to success, then Aunt Cille was one of the most successful people I know. She freely gave of her time and resources, and her infectiously warm smile most certainly brought everyone around her joy through her infectiously warm smile. To say she had a sunny disposition is an understatement.
Teaching was undoubtedly her God-given gift. Her chosen profession provided her with a perfect platform to serve and give of her time and talents. I challenge each of you to live on in her spirit and find a way to give your gifts and talents. Our guardian angel has set the bar high as chief go-giver and an amazing woman.
Thank you so much for taking the time today to say goodbye to Aunt Cille. She was an amazing woman, a real go-getter, and now our guardian angel.