Small gaps should not stand between SpelHouse students and graduation.

This scholarship honors our brother Mlungisi Rasmeni, whose life exemplified perseverance, generosity, and service. Gisi was an international student from Soweto, South Africa, whose mother sold her home so that Mlungisi could attend boarding school at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in northern Georgia. After his first year, Mlungisi ran out of funds to complete his education at Rabun. However, Mlungisi was so well loved and appreciated by students and administrators alike that they found a way to overcome the financial barriers and get him to graduation. Mlungisi was later accepted into Morehouse College to pursue his ultimate dream of opening a public health clinic in his native Soweto.

During his time at Morehouse, Mlungisi worked tirelessly while remaining deeply engaged in his community, including his service as an initiate of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Known for listening, uplifting others, and bringing people together, Gisi gave freely of himself and left a lasting impact on those he encountered.

Unfortunately, the realities of self-funding his education forced Gisi to sit out a few semesters and later led to a halt in his pursuit of his education. We believe financial gaps should not hinder our Morehouse and Spelman students once accepted, especially as they approach the finish line. The Tuition Shortfall Fund seeks to assist self-financed students like Gisi in pursuing their goals.