Michael A. McNeal Memorial Scholarship

The Michael Anthony McNeal Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of Michael A. McNeal (August 1, 1986 — June 18, 2025). McNeal was the only brother and maternal sibling of Eric D. Toliver. To highlight his brother’s passionate love of knowledge (athletics, foreign languages, literature, and cinema), Toliver created this fund to support students who carry forward his brother’s spirit of curiosity, creativity, and perseverance.

Michael Anthony McNeal was born August 1, 1986 in Kansas City, Missouri to Michelle D. Toliver. He was educated through the Kansas City, Missouri public school system (now Kansas City Public Schools). Since birth, he has been a member of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Kansas City. He was a member of the Little Voices Children’s Choir, B.U.D.S. of Promise, and an acolyte in the Youth Department.

He was an avid reader and had a love of sports, movies, and foreign languages even teaching himself to speak Spanish.

His life was tragically cut short at the age of 38 on June 18, 2025. He leaves to cherish in his memory his mother Michelle D. Toliver, his children Michael J. and Millie A. McNeal, his brother Eric D. Toliver, his Nana Mable M. Toliver, his godmother Mary Williams, a special sister Samone Gordon, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Eligibility Criteria:

    • High school graduating seniors; Undergraduate students (any year enrolled in a 4-year institution)

    • Minimum GPA: 2.5 for first-time applicants; Renewal applicants: must maintain 3.0 GPA or higher to be considered

    • Preference given to students demonstrating interest or achievement in athletics, languages, literature/writing, or cinema/film studies.

    • Inclusivity: Students from any field of study are encouraged to apply.

    • High school candidates: priority given to students from Kansas City, MO or Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) district

    • College students: open nationally; preference for alignment with focus areas

    • High School: 2-3 letters of recommendations required. (One being from an administrator and/or instructor)

    • Previous applicants who were not recipients must submit 2 letters and meet GPA requirement for consideration.

    • Previous recipients applying for renewal: Not required.

    • New and current applicants will have priority over previous recipients applying for renewal.

    • Renewal applicants are considered after new/current applicants, provided they meet GPA and other renewal criteria.

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