On this anniversary date of the home-going of my beloved wife, I note that she was the mother of the Timbuktu Academy, an academic enrichment and a systemic student mentoring program at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge (SUBR). The academic enrichment component includes a six-week, intensive 'boot camp" for high school students. For decades in the row (from 1990-91 to 2018), the average jump in the American College Text scores of the participant students has been three (3) points - as compared to the two (2) and a half improvement by a typical high school  in 36 weeks! The US Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (US_PAESMEM) to the Academy director and the Academy, in 1996, was in recognition of this pre-college work. 

The systemic mentoring of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students, with emphasis on Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering majors, has helped to produce over 300 STEM BS degree holders at SUBR.  Fourteen (14) of them were Student Grand Marshals of their entire graduation classes. The second US -PAESMEM to the Timbuktu Academy, with Dr. R. L. Ford and later Dr. Ella L. Kelley as principal investigators, was in recognition of the work of  the Academy at the college level. In particular, the citation noted the large proportions of the Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering majors (i.e., 70, 60, and 40%, respectively) who successfully earned graduate STEM degrees, with emphasis on the Ph.D. 

Dr. Ella L. Kelley's motherhood of the Academy stems not only from her co-directorship of it, from inception in 1990 to 2015, but also for her suggestion to me, in the late 1980's, to put my intellect to work in order to impact significantly the education of African American youth, in particular, and youth belonging to any other ethnic or racial groups, in general. Returning to my roots in Timbuktu, Mali, where universities flourished from the 14th to the late 16th centuries, I established, with Ella's invaluable assistance, the Timbuktu Academy. Its Web site (www.subr.edu/timbuktuacademy) provides much ampler information on the Academy, including its funding sources and various programs. 

Diola Bagayoko, Ph.D. , Distinguished Professor of Physics 

I will always cherish the brief but impacting encounters that I shared with Dr Kelley. She reminded me of my late grandmother in her guidance, leadership, intelligence, and motherly love. As a former student she challenged me to be the best I can be and more to do well in her chemistry class, which in turn help me to do well during my remaining time at SU. I'm grateful for her genuine interest in our future endeavors and thank for your help and encouragement to make our dreams a reality. God bless. 

Dr. Kelley has greatly impacted my life as I pursued my degree at SU. I had the privilege of being one of her students in her general chemistry class during my freshman year in college. Even though I was a biology major she accepted me with open arms. Dr. Kelley was very interested in her students' career goals. She was aware I had aspirations of becoming a physician someday. One day after chemistry class she asked me what were my plans for the upcoming summer. At that time I didn't quite understand the extra steps I needed to take to become a competitive applicant for medical school. Dr. Kelley enforced the importance of remaining focused and keeping my eye on the  prize in the midst of my involvement on campus. She told me exactly who I needed to talk to in regards to summer enrichment programs. That same summer I had the opportunity of participating in the Summer Medical and Dental Education program at UT Houston. I know for a fact I would not have had the opportunity to participate in that life changing program without Dr. Kelley's advice and encouragement. Throughout my matriculation at SU she continued to provide guidance. She helped  me prepare for the MCAT and she even wrote a letter of recommendation to medical school on my behalf. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to tell her I finally got accepted into medical school and I will be starting this fall. I am forever grateful for the wisdom she has provided me throughout my academic endeavors. She pushed me towards my greatest potential when I didn't even know I could do it.  Dr. Kelley will surely be missed and her legacy at SU will live forever.