Alpha Phi Alpha’s Don Scott Honors Delta Sigma Theta Wife Dr. Mellanda Colson-Scott with $100K Endowed Scholarship at Hampton

Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott, a trailblazing member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., made headlines this weekend during Hampton University’s 2025 commencement ceremony with a surprise that beautifully blended Black love, legacy, and service.

While delivering his commencement address, Speaker Scott surprised his wife, Dr. Mellanda Colson-Scot, a proud Hampton alumna and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., with the announcement of a $100,000 endowed scholarship in her name. The gift, timed perfectly with Mother’s Day, was a tribute to her lifelong dedication to dentistry, education, and community service.

“I was proud to announce the creation of the Dr. Mellanda Colson Scott Endowed Scholarship—a $100,000 fund to support Hampton students majoring in chemistry who aspire to become dentists,” Scott wrote in a social media post following the event. “This scholarship is a tribute to my better half, Mellanda—her deep love for Hampton and her unwavering commitment to uplifting the next generation.”

Dr. Colson-Scott’s journey in dentistry began early. Inspired by her father, she decided at just five years old to follow in his footsteps. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Hampton University and went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Science degree from Howard University in 1998, followed by an advanced degree in general dentistry from the University of Medicine & Dentistry in New Jersey.

After gaining years of experience in private practice, she discovered a passion for teaching and spent six years mentoring dental students at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2007, she opened her own practice, Sunset Family Dentistry, in Norfolk, Virginia.

Dr. Colson-Scott is also deeply committed to service. She has provided dental care through Project Homeless Connect, mentors students from Old Dominion University, and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Incorporated. Her commitment to health advocacy extends to annual participation in Relay for Life since 2006, raising awareness for cancer prevention and care.

Speaker Scott made history in 2024 when he was sworn in as the first Black Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates in the legislature’s 400-year history. His surprise announcement at Hampton was not just a personal gesture—it was a public declaration of love, legacy, and investment in Black excellence.