Bernard C. McNair, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Almost ten years ago, Bernard C. McNair, Jr. received his wings in heaven on July 8, 2014, at the tender age of twenty-four, after a two-year battle with Crohn's Disease. Bernard Jr. was a wonderful son, grandson, brother, relative, and friend to many. He had an extraordinary personality and character as a leader, mentor, encourager, and phenomenal person to many.

Bernard's early years were spent in New Jersey where he was loved by many as a respectful young boy that changed the atmosphere of any room he entered with happiness. He was an active young boy who played many sports, danced, and loved being part of ministries in the church. The Superintendent of Schools in Washington Township claimed Bernard Jr. would become a Governor or Mayor one day because of his caring, knowledgeable, and loving personality.

We moved to Powder Springs, GA in Bernard's Sophomore year of high school where he continued to be a change maker. Bernard was the first African American at McEachern High School to make the Varsity Men's Golf Team. He was part of the Government/History and Debate Team. He loved debating with other high school students and represented other viewpoints of various countries. Bernard graduated in 2008 and was accepted into Augusta State University for the fall semester.

Bernard thrived at Augusta State University. His freshman year he received the highest-grade point average in his Law & Ethics class and as a result of his hard work and determination he received all “A” grades in his first semester. He was a member of the First Year Experience Program at University Village where he assisted the Dean of Students with many projects, one of which was unifying the student body. Bernard became a Resident Life Assistant (RA) and enjoyed bringing students together for various cook-offs, marathons, poetic writings and pool parties. Bernard’s positive attitude toward life inspired not only his peers but faculty and supervisors. As a result, his RA Supervisor named her son after Bernard Jr. In the fall of 2010 Bernard pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Pi Xi Chapter. He served as Keeper of Records. He was elected to "Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges" in recognition of outstanding merit and accomplishment as a student at Augusta State University 2011. He was elected to run for Augusta State University Homecoming King. As a Political Science major, Bernard had every intention of attending Law School after graduating and becoming an International Attorney. Bernard dressed and spoke impeccable being a living testimony of how young men should comport themselves in and out of the classroom.

Unfortunately, in 2011 when Bernard Jr. was a Senior, he began experiencing severe abdominal pains. After many tests, procedures, and doctors' visits he was finally diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. Our family's first reaction after his diagnosis and much research was that this was a manageable disease. Bernard persevered and continued with his higher education for a couple of months with minimal and limited interruptions with controlling the disease.

However, our life changed drastically in 2012 when Bernard Jr. had to be hospitalized due to complications with Crohn's Disease. While having major surgeries, procedures, and struggling with extreme pain, Bernard pursued completing assignments and classes remotely. Sadly, because of the progression of the disease, and the desire of the Director of the Political Science Department for Bernard to focus on his health, the heart wrenching decision was made to close his college account. Taking a leave of absence from college was extremely upsetting for Bernard Jr. knowing that he was so close to graduating. He did, however, graduate with Honors via posthumous.

As the disease progressed, Bernard spent two years being hospitalized 90% of the years with extensive surgeries, some being fourteen hours long. Our life changed radically but through it all we trusted in God. Through each surgery Bernard Jr. never complained and always trusted God to heal him. During Bernard Jr.'s sickness he always was more concerned with what others were feeling, constantly giving encouragement and hope to all he encountered. One example of this is when his doctor asked him to share his experience and offer words of comfort and reassurance to a patient battling the same illness. Many of the hospital staff considered him an angel and a breath of fresh air because of the faith and strength he showed continuously. Bernard Jr. made such an impact on the staff that his Physician Assistant and GI Surgeon considered him as family and referred to him as Nardi, like his uncles.

Confined to his hospital bed, Bernard's last Mother's Day on earth was spent blessing his mother with a pearl necklace, earrings, cards, angel pin, and a plaque entitled "The Heartbeat of A Mom". Unbeknownst to his mother he enlisted the help of the hospital staff and friends who loved him dearly for assistance. His mother will treasure this memory forever.

His Gastroenterologist Surgeon (Dr. John Galloway) wrote a two-page letter about Bernard Jr. that was read at his funeral. Some parts of the letter read as such, "Nardi (Bernard Jr.) had one of the most difficult and even terrible conditions that a person can have, an intestinal fistula. It is a diagnosis that impacts on every aspect of a patient's life: physical, emotional, social, psychological, and even spiritual. It is a diagnosis that I, as a surgeon, and my wonderful GI team have dedicated our lives and talents to treat and hopefully with God's help heal. Bernard and his family experienced one of the most difficult fistulas on which I have ever had to operate, and I have treated over 300 fistulas in thirty plus years of being a surgeon. Nardi bore his infirmity with great God given grace and always a smile. It was a Smile of Faith: a faith in himself, his wonderful parents and family, his dear friends, and a faith in all of his medical care givers; even me, his chief surgeon who, although I used all the skill, knowledge, and talent God has given me, could not put back and keep his intestines together again. It was also a Smile of Hope; a hope that one day after all the surgeries and all the pain and suffering, he would be made whole again with the ability to eat, work, play, and enjoy family and friends without the intravenous feedings, antibiotics, pain medications, and messy bags and dressings. And a Smile of Love. Nardi followed the two greatest commandments loving God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength and he was full of love for his family and his neighbor. (Matthew 22:37-39) He let that love flow over everybody and anybody - and everyone loved Nardi. I believe that Nardi's love, particularly when he was suffering so, was a supernatural love which truly reflected God's great love for him and us."

Awards/writings honoring Bernard Jr.'s life: And Still We Stand, by Angela Duerson Tuck (dear friend), “This Ain’t Goodbye” by Vashita Pierce (aunt), The Kappa Alpha Psi College Collegiate Leadership Award (Augusta, Georgia Alumni Chapter), Bernard C. McNair, Jr. Scholarship from Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church Young Adult Ministry, and Bernard C. McNair, Jr. Writing Award presented by the Honors Political Science/Pre-Law Department. When Bernard entered college one of his goals was to improve his writing abilities. Not only did he achieve this goal but was recognized by faculty as an outstanding writer. Future recipients of the award must also demonstrate improved writing skills, like Bernard. Bernard Jr. had a special anointing on his life, and we thank God.

The Bernard C. McNair, Jr. Memorial Scholarship was created to continue his legacy for excellence in academia, compassion for others, commitment to pursuing higher education, and the love of God. Bernard Jr. loved education, people of every nationality & religion. We know unequivocally that the Bernard C. McNair, Jr. Memorial Scholarship was birthed out of Bernard Jr.’s desire to help others pursue their educational endeavors.

The Bernard C. McNair, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Committee is petitioning on this ten-year anniversary to see Bernard’s dream of lifting others up come to fruition. Therefore, our mission is to bless a student and/or students who possess some of the same attributes Bernard displayed with a scholastic award. We need your help in this endeavor to raise funds for deserving students who aspire to further their education via college, trade and/or technical school. The Committee thanks you in advance for blessing a students’ educational undertaking and helping the Bernard C. McNair, Jr. Legacy live on.

Upon Bernard Jr.'s departure from this earth the symbol "#BStrong" was created because through every trial and tribulation, he kept the faith and was strong. So, whatever you may be going through #BStrong.

Many Blessings,

Bernard C. McNair, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Committee