The Evelyn, Charles, Lucian and Warrick Carter Endowed Music Scholarship, established in 2002 by former Columbia College Chicago President Dr. Warrick L. Carter, was named for his parents and his brother. Dr. Carter passed away in 2017, and his daughter added his name to the scholarship to ensure that his legacy would be kept alive and that Columbia music students continue to benefit from this scholarship for years to come.
Carter served as president from 2000 to 2013 and led the transformation of the college from a locally known commuter school into an established residential campus that remains the largest organization in the South Loop. He grew the urban campus footprint, formalized the school structure as we know it today, and championed several innovative programs, such as Manifest, ShopColumbia and Semester in LA.
Throughout his career, Dr. Carter consulted on music education and diversity issues in music education for organizations worldwide. He published and lectured extensively on education, jazz, and African American music history and culture. His passion for music started as a small child. Dr. Carter’s mother, Evelyn, was a music major and graduated from Virginia State College in 1935. During her professional career, she was a public school music teacher, private piano teacher, church organist, and community choir director. Dr. Carter’s father, Charles, had a great appreciation for jazz and other popular music. Dr. Carter’s brother, Lucian, was a talented saxophonist and avid collector of jazz recordings.