Jerome Holland

Jerome Holland was an African-American diplomat and educator.

From Auburn, N. Y. Jerome Heartwell Holland was (in 1935) the first Black man to play football at Cornell University. He graduated in 1939 and received a master’s degree in sociology two years later. After teaching sociology and physical education at Lincoln University, he received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1950. Holland served as president of Delaware State College, from 1953 to 1959 and of Hampton Institute from 1960 to 1970.

He also wrote a number of economic and sociological studies of African-Americans including Black Opportunity 1969. President Nixon appointed him ambassador to Sweden in 1970; he was also a board member of nine major United States companies including AT&T and General Motors. In 1972 Holland became the first African-American to sit on the board of the New York Stock Exchange, a position he held until 1980. He became a member of the College Football’s Hall of Fame in 1965. Jerome Holland died January 13, 1985.

CAP Charitable Foundation

The CAP Charitable Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation (of the Pilaro family) which has historically provided educational opportunities through a variety of scholarship programs. The Foundation is chaired by Linda C. Pilaro. In 1987, The Pilaro's started the Holland Scholar Program at UVA in honor of Jerome Holland. Currently, the Holland endowment is supported by financial contributions from the CAP Foundation and other donors.

As of August 2004, administration of the Holland Program moved from UVA to Mike Mallory, President of the CAP Foundation (USA). The Holland Program was moved in light of constitutional challenges to race-preferential programs at Colleges/Universities. It is now officially a private program under the CAP Foundation.