Cosby Scholar Program

“This may be the first scholarship set aside exclusively for ADOS (American Descendants of Slavery) in history.”

“It demonstrates BSK’s commitment to racial justice which can lead to authentic racial reconciliation,” explained Dr. Kevin Cosby, president of Simmons College of Kentucky. “Racial justice is a key commitment for BSK,” said Dr. David Cassady, president of BSK, “and reconciliation is not possible until repair is begun. We are excited to play a role in forming ADOS students as they follow God’s call to ministry.”

In 2005, Dr. Kevin W. Cosby was named the 13th President of Simmons College of Kentucky (SCKY).

Two years later, the college returned to their original campus. In the 13 years of his tenure, he has led the campus in generosity and vision, as demonstrated by his refusal to accept a salary from the college. Under his visionary direction, SCKY was granted accreditation by the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) in February 2014, expanded it’s campus and added three new degree programs, and was officially designated as the nation’s 107th Historically Black College & Universities (HBCU) in April 2015.

A staunch proponent of education, Dr. Cosby earned a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, a Master of Divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

He has been awarded honorary doctorates from Eastern Kentucky University, Bellarmine University and Campbellsville University. He has held administrative and teaching assignments at Kentucky State University, the University of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and United Theological Seminary. Additionally, his exceptional oratorical skills have garnered lecture engagements at universities and institutions all over the world, including Harvard University.

Since 1979, Dr. Kevin W. Cosby has served as Senior Pastor of St. Stephen Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

Due greatly to his practical and dynamic Bible teachings, the congregation has grown from 500 to approximately 14,000 members, and has been recognized by Outreach magazine as one of the 100 largest churches in America (2010) and Emerge magazine as one of six “super churches” of the South. During his tenure at St. Stephen, the church has transformed from the “little church on the corner” to a multi-faceted institution that includes a 1,700-seat worship center, a cutting-edge $4 million inner-city family life center and a 1,000-seat worship facility in Jeffersonville, Indiana. In October 2013, Dr. Cosby began a satellite church in Hardin County, Kentucky. During the first Sunday’s service, seventy people united with the church.