Cecil College student-athlete receives prestigious scholarship
Published on March 25, 2025
NORTH EAST, MD: Ronaldo King, a student-athlete at Cecil College, has been awarded a prestigious scholarship from the Brothers of the Iota Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. during the annual Donald J. Waldon Scholarship Banquet on March 9, 2025, at Water’s Edge Resort and Spa events center in Belcamp, Md.
King, originally from Claxton Bay, Trinidad and Tobago, has been at Cecil College for two and a half years, where he has excelled academically and athletically. He will graduate this spring with degrees in Business Management and Sports Management.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the members of Alpha Phi Alpha and the exceptional young men who were recognized with these well-deserved scholarships, including Cecil College student Ronaldo King. The fraternity’s unwavering dedication to leadership, academic excellence, and community service is a shining example of the transformative impact that these principles have in shaping a better future,” said Cecil College President Dr. Mary Way Bolt, who was joined at the celebration banquet by Cecil College Vice President Dr. Kimberly Joyce, Director of Student Life Cheryl Davis-Robinson, and Ronaldo Kings’s special guest Soccer Club Coach Steve Martinez.
King is a member of the Cecil College men’s soccer team, and his passion for academics and sports has earned him recognition in both fields. After completing his studies at Cecil College, he plans to further his education at either the University of Delaware or Fordham University in New York City. He hopes to continue his collegiate soccer career at one of these institutions, though he has also received offers from schools in Florida and North Carolina. Despite the options, King is focused on staying in the Northeast region of the United States for his continued education and soccer endeavors.
“This scholarship has been invaluable because it eliminated a lot of the financial burden for me so I can focus more on my studies and training with the men’s soccer team,” King said. “I knew I qualified for the scholarship, but before I signed up, I wasn’t sure if I would get it.”
As a student from a small town in Trinidad and Tobago, King selected Cecil College for its quiet, focused environment. “There were a lot of colleges I could have gone to, but I liked the quiet environment where Cecil allowed me to focus more on my studies,” he explained.
King also credited the Cecil College community for helping him grow as a student and an athlete. “I love everyone in the Student Life Office. They have been a great help to me, and I really appreciate everything they’ve been able to do for me,” he said. He also noted the support he received from the college’s Athletic Director, Ed Durham. “He’s been a mentor to me, always giving me tips on how to move forward with school and soccer.”
In his time at Cecil College, King has thrived in a close-knit environment. “Being a small school, the community feels like family. I feel like there aren’t many institutions that allow people to be themselves and really adapt to the atmosphere. I feel the school helps bring people together,” King added.
About Alpha Phi Alpha: Founded in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is dedicated to developing leaders, promoting academic excellence, and providing service and advocacy for communities. The fraternity’s mission focuses on stimulating the ambition of its members, preparing them for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, dignity, and freedom, and encouraging the highest and noblest form of manhood. Alpha Phi Alpha’s motto, “First of all, Servants of all, We shall transcend all,” represents the organization’s commitment to leadership, service, and brotherhood.
About Cecil College: Located in Cecil County, Md., Cecil College continues to be a catalyst for the region’s economic growth and enhanced quality of life. The College has a diverse student population, with approximately 2,200 credit students and 2,400 non-credit students, and includes campuses in North East and Elkton. Cecil offers 70+ associate degrees, certificate programs, and non-credit classes. Noteworthy distinctions include the designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Cecil College is a Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference member in all sports and competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association. The College fields men’s baseball, basketball, and soccer; and women’s basketball, softball, and volleyball.