Meet Morgan Askew, 2026 Shainberg Scholar
The Shainberg Scholarship honors the legacy of Herbert Shainberg, a Memphis businessman known for his philanthropy and his belief in the power of kindness. His grandchildren carry that legacy forward by funding scholarships for students in the Choose901 Alumni network who have significant financial gaps, whether they're headed to a four year college or an alternative path like trade school or a certificate program. Recipients are known as Shainberg Scholars.
This year, we're introducing you to the students behind that title. First up is Morgan Askew.
Morgan Askew
Alumni School: Compass Community Schools-Midtown
College: Rhodes College
Major: Political Science (concentration in Politics and Law) and PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics), with a minor in Law & Society
Where It Started
Morgan's path through Memphis schools shaped the way she pursues everything today.
"I grew up in Memphis, TN. When I was in elementary school, I attended St. Patrick's Catholic School up until 6th grade. For seventh grade I attended Memphis Catholic and in eighth grade Memphis Catholic changed over to Compass Community Schools-Midtown where I graduated from in 2024 as Salutatorian while also earning the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. award for outstanding service. Going to the schools I have and being in the very unique city of Memphis has allowed me to put devotion into my interests and pursue my education further with the valuable resources and programs available to schools in Memphis."
Life at Rhodes
Morgan is now a rising junior at Rhodes College, and she's not taking the easy road.
"I am double majoring in Political Science with a concentration in Politics and Law and PPE, which stands for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. I am minoring in Law & Society and also obtaining a Music Industries Study Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship. I intend to graduate in May of 2028."
Ask her why, and the answer traces straight back to a clear plan for her future.
"I chose my majors because they are the things that interested me. First Political Science I love politics and seeing the ins and outs of politics and law making and being able to apply those skills in the real world I also love that it allows me to develop my critical thinking skills. For my PPE major I decided to do it because as mentioned I love politics, but philosophy is also a passion of mine I love asking why things are the way they are and not just accepting things at face value and trying to see why other people think the way they do. And the economics piece of it I think economics is very interesting and important and an amazing subject that everyone should learn about, after all economics affects every decision, a person makes in regard to buying things and it can also affect policy makers and the law which in tun affects everyone.
After I graduate, I intend to go to law school and become a criminal defense lawyer. This career interests me because I have always had a passion for law, and I believe everyone deserves a fair trial. I want to be the one to help people in their trial and protect their rights. I also want to own my own law firm so that I can spread my outreach and help more people, and eventually I want to run for President of the United States of America."
What the Scholarship Means to Her
For Morgan, the scholarship isn't an abstraction. It's the difference between focusing on her goals and worrying about how to pay for them.
"The Shainberg Scholarship allows me to continue my education without financial worries and allows me to focus more on my academics rather than how I'll actually get to my education. It helps me achieve those goals by removing the financial barrier."
She's also quick to credit the wider Choose901 Alumni network.
"The Choose901 Alumni program has supported me by keeping me up to date with internship and job opportunities as well as hosting networking events which are very useful and connecting me to the alumni network."
Giving Back
Morgan already knows what she wants her success to mean for Memphis.
"To me, giving back to Memphis means helping others gain access to resources and making resources in order to better the city."
Her advice to the students coming up behind her:
"The advice I would give is Never Give Up. No matter how far away your goals may seem or how impossible everything feels at the moment. Where there is a will there is a way and if you can't find a way make a way. The satisfaction in achieving your goals is worth whatever you have to go through to achieve your goals."
