Flip Wilson leaves scholarships for college students

Jet, June 23, 2003

The late comedian Flip Wilson has created scholarships for Black college students who major in journalism.

Wilson died of liver cancer in 1998 (JET, Dec. 14, 1998).

He didn't have a journalism background, but his friend and former publicist Kathleen Fearn-Banks helped persuade him that it was a field where his money could make an impact on the Black community.

The comedian then agreed to put a clause in his will that provided funding for annual scholarships at five colleges including, Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, the University of Washington in Seattle, Wayne State University in Michigan, California State University-Northridge and Howard University in Washington, D.C.

The Flip Wilson Journalism Scholarships will cover one year of tuition, room and board.

Fearn-Banks, now a communications professor, and author at the University of Washington, said the colleges were chosen because of Wilson's and her affiliation with them.

Wilson was born in Jersey City, NJ. Fearn-Banks said Rutgers was chosen because "it offers the leading journalism program in Flip's home state."

Applicants must write a 500-word essay that focuses on some aspect of Wilson's work and its impact on television or comedy.

Wilson was the host of "The Flip Wilson Show" from 1970-1974. He was best known for portraying "Geraldine," a sassy, wig-and- minidress-wearing woman whose catch phrases were "What you see is what you get!" and "The devil made me do it!"

Fearn-Banks told JET she wanted to make sure the scholarship recipients know about Wilson's life.

"Since I've been in academia, I have become familiar with numerous scholarships. The students accept the money but they don't have any idea who the person is. I just didn't want that to happen with the Flip Wilson scholarships.

She added, "I think it is very important that people know him and realize what they missed. He was more than 'Geraldine.' He was a very special person, a very special entertainer. I want students to know who the person is who is helping them through college and what that person had to go through to succeed in his life."