Dean Chavers facts for kids

Dean Chavers, born in 1941, is a very important leader for Native American students. He is the director of an organization called Catching the Dream. This group used to be known as the Native American Scholarship Fund. Since 1987, Catching the Dream has helped 679 Native American students finish college! These graduates include many educators, doctors, engineers, business experts, and scientists.

Dean Chavers' Early Life and Education

Dean Chavers was born to Lumbee Indian parents. His mother was Dorothy Marie Godwin, and his father was Issac Locklear. However, his mother married Luther Cherry Chavers before Dean was born, and Luther was the man he called "daddy."

Dean Chavers went to the University of Richmond for two years, from 1960 to 1962. After that, he joined the US Air Force as an Aviation Cadet. He later earned his first degree from the University of California at Berkeley. He then went on to get two master's degrees and his Ph.D. from Stanford University.

While at Stanford, Dean Chavers was a student activist. He and other American Indian students successfully asked the university to change its mascot. It used to be the "Stanford Indian," but they helped change it to the "Stanford Cardinal."

Dean Chavers was also a brave navigator during the Vietnam War. He flew 138 missions. For his service, he received important awards like the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also earned eight other awards.

For 30 years, Dr. Chavers wrote for newspapers. He wrote about education for American Indians, the recognition of the Lumbee people, and other issues related to fairness and justice. He also took part in the famous Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969.

Dean Chavers' Career and Impact

Dean Chavers has spent 35 years working as a consultant in Indian education. He has written 25 books! Some of his books include The National Indian Grant Directory and How to Write Winning Proposals. He also wrote "Modern American Indian Leaders" and "Racism in Indian Country."

He was once the President of Bacone College. While he was there, he helped the college grow from a junior college to a senior college. This meant students could earn four-year degrees there.

Dr. Chavers has given many talks and training sessions across the United States. He has spoken at universities like Stanford and the University of Oklahoma. He has also worked with Native American nations like the Cherokee Nation and the Navajo Nation. His most popular training is called "How to Write Winning Proposals," which he has taught over 125 times. He also teaches people how to make their schools better through a seminar called "How to Develop Exemplary Programs."

As the director of Catching the Dream, Dean Chavers has helped 679 Native American students achieve their dream of finishing college. In 1988, he started the Exemplary Programs in Indian Education (EPIE) Movement. This movement has helped create 39 special programs in Indian schools.