Dale E. has taken steps to ensure that future children do not face the same issues that he and his twin brother, Dr. Dan Jones, did in school. Dale is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Magna Vista Partners and is dedicated to assisting juniors and seniors who are struggling to pay for college.
With his spouse Yolanda, he established the “Finishing Well” Scholarship Fund to give financial support for juniors and seniors pursuing graduation.
The brothers faced enormous financial hardships as first-generation college students 42 years ago. Despite graduating from Morehouse College in 1982, the barriers made a lasting imprint on them, and decades later, they do not want the next generation to face the same challenges.
The Joneses, along with their friends and family, are helping to establish the Jones Family Endowment Scholarship. They have all agreed to match contributions to invest in the future of Morehouse Men.
“We have invited a number of friends and family members to be a part of this journey with us, to help match the funds that we have committed so that this can be a force multiplier effect to help as many young men complete their education as possible,” Dale said.
Dale stated in a news release, “My brother, Dr. Dan Jones, and I came to Morehouse under difficult circumstances.” Our mother had passed away several years before. My father, a shoe repairman by day and a janitor at night, struggled to keep us in college for four years. He also became permanently crippled while we were at school. The challenge of remaining encouraged while still being financially able to continue at Morehouse was difficult for all of us.
Trellis Research found that 48% of students who faced financial issues during their enrollment struggled to focus on their studies.
Dale added, “We are thrilled to establish the Yolanda and Dale Jones Family Endowed Scholarship Fund of $2.5 million to assist students in finishing well. Too often, juniors and seniors arrive at Morehouse but are unable to complete their studies due to a lack of resources. We hope to increase financial capability for students to complete the final leg of their study.”
As the national co-chair of the historic $500 million “Making Men of Consequence” Campaign, Dale is positioning Morehouse College, a historically Black liberal arts institution, for long-term growth and significance in the twenty-first century.
To date, the campaign has raised $256 million, which will be utilized to support student scholarships, new academic programs, groundbreaking faculty research, and crucial campus improvements.
He formerly served as CEO of Diversified Search and was recently honored with a Bennie Award for Leadership at Morehouse College’s 36th Annual “A Candle in the Dark” Gala for his services to the college as well as his accomplishments as a business and community leader. This is one of Morehouse College’s most prestigious awards for graduates.
The scholarship will be available in the fall of 2024 to both new and returning students.