Dawsons create new graduate fellowship

A former pro football lineman and his wife have created a new graduate fellowship at the UK College of Education. This fellowship, the third for the college, will provide financial assistance to minority or non-traditional students seeking an advanced degree in education.

Dermontti Dawson, former UK football lineman and star center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his wife, Regina, a Fayette County teacher, created the fellowship out of their respect for education and a desire to support minorities entering the field.

Dermontti and Regina Dawson

Dermontti Dawson is well known for his athletic ability. He was an all-state athlete at Bryan Station High School and a highly regarded lineman for the University of Kentucky Wildcats. In 1988, he was a second round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dawson went on to fame as one of the NFL's most outstanding centers. He participated in seven consecutive pro bowls and received accolades from the leading sports journals as one of the great centers in NFL history.

Regina Dawson has a degree in business and economics from UK and teaches in elementary education. They have a son, Brandon Neil, and a daughter, Brianna.

Among the accomplishments Dermontti has achieved in his athletic career, he is most proud of his commitment to his family and his activities as a role model for children. These achievements have not gone unnoticed. In recognition of his work with children and other philanthropic activities, Dermontti Dawson was the recipient of three very significant honors. His Steeler teammates unanimously named him the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award in November 2000. Earlier that year, Dawson was named to the UK College of Education's Alumni Hall of Fame.

In November 2001, Dermontti and Regina Dawson were named the College of Education's Philanthropists of the Year. They were recognized during the Philanthropy Day celebration sponsored by the Lexington branch of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Joining the Dawsons on Philanthropy Day were Acting Dean Ed Sagan; Steve Parker, Dawson's former high school coach and college professor; Loretta Clark, director of minority recruitment at the College of Education; and Mary Ann Vimont and Vicki Sageser of the college's Office of Development.

Over the years, Dermontti and Regina Dawson have stressed the value of a good education to their children and have sought opportunities to be advocates for education. It was because of their strong beliefs that they established the Dermontti F. and Regina M. Dawson Graduate Fellowship in Education. It is the Dawsons' hope that by establishing this fellowship, a minority or non-traditional student at the college will become an outstanding educator who will touch the lives of many young people.

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