The Laura Ann Dunn-Hill Memorial Scholarship was instituted to honor the memory and legacy of a phenomenal person by providing financial support to an African American, college-bound student who has excelled academically, developed a personal, strong sense of faith, culture and community and is committed to the service of others. Laura Ann Dunn-Hill's life could best be summed up as complete dedication to God, family and the importance of a good education. As a result, the recipient should exemplify her values and be prepared to contribute positively to her legacy.

Laura Ann Dunn-Hill was born on December 12, 1918 in Lisbon, Louisiana as the only child of Flournoy and Mittie Bell Dunn. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and personal Savior at an early age, being baptized as a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Dubach ,Louisiana. She graduated in 1937 with a teaching degree from the Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute which is now known as Grambling State University. Laura Ann worked as an educator in the Berkeley Unified School District for more than 30 years. Her deep, unwavering faith in God and appreciation for the power of education served as the guide for how she lived her life and how she raised her children and four of her grandchildren.

She made it a priority to make sure all of the children she raised thoroughly understood the importance of a good education and that they had a strong foundation in the church. Laura Ann was a faithful member of the McGee Avenue Baptist Church in Berkeley, CA for more than 50 years and served as the president of the Volunteer Workers of McGee for more than 25 years. She was a longtime member of Church Women United and McGee's Ida Field Circle. She was also active as a member of McGee's Senior Usher Board and as an ordained Deacon and frequently visited the sick and shut-in offering a kind word, prayer and communion. Laura Ann also served her community for many years through her memberships with the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Patronage Club, the East Bay section of the National Council of Negro Women and as president of the Women's Art and Industrial Club in Oakland.

During her life, Laura Ann received numerous awards from her church, the American Baptist Women, Church Women United and other local organizations. On her 81st birthday, she received well-wishes from President Bill Clinton, the Governors of Louisiana and California, U.S. Senators from Louisiana and California, Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean, other dignitaries and her beloved alma mater, Grambling State University. Laura Ann served as a tireless volunteer throughout her life always willing to help her family, church, friends, neighbors and even complete strangers. Her complete dedication to her family and abiding faith in God are just a couple of the qualities that made her such a special person. Her selfless and giving nature is what made her so loved.