Rajah Caruth set to graduate from HBCU Winston-Salem State
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (Dec. 10, 2024) – Winston-Salem State College is proud to have a good time the accomplishments of Rajah Caruth, a standout graduate of the famend motorsports administration program on the HBCU, in addition to a rising NASCAR driver. Caruth will wave the checkered flag on his tutorial journey throughout WSSU’s Fall Graduation Ceremony, becoming a member of almost 600 different graduates, at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, on the Lawrence J. Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Caruth started his tutorial journey at WSSU in 2020, drawn by the college’s distinctive Bachelor of Science diploma in motorsports administration. WSSU is the one traditionally Black faculty or college (HBCU) within the nation and the one public college in North Carolina to supply this system.
When he enrolled, Caruth was additionally taking his first steps in NASCAR’s Drive for Variety Driver Growth Program. 4 years later, his achievements have made historical past. Caruth is now the third Black driver to win a nationwide collection race; he was named a Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award recipient; and most not too long ago, he was voted Most In style Driver within the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Collection – all whereas sustaining his standing as a full-time scholar.
Caruth’s success not solely elevated his personal profession however has additionally shone a highlight on WSSU’s motorsports program, introducing a broader viewers to the business. For the previous couple of years, WSSU hosted a “Rams Racing Evening” in the course of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Collection race on the Charlotte Motor Speedway in assist of Caruth and this system.
This 12 months, NASCAR introduced it was increasing its Campus Lab program to WSSU, making it the primary college in North Carolina to take part.
“I’ve seen a big improve of curiosity in our program in addition to the college at massive,” stated Dr. Clay Harshaw, affiliate professor and motorsports administration program coordinator at WSSU. “Rajah’s success has performed a serious position in that.”
“We’re enthusiastic about Rajah’s success on and off the monitor. Profitable a NASCAR race and receiving your diploma in the identical 12 months is spectacular,” stated Brandon Thompson, NASCAR’s Vice President of Variety and Inclusion. “Rajah units a terrific instance for what’s potential. We’re excited to proceed seeing him develop and add to the material of NASCAR.”
Reflecting on his time at WSSU, Caruth expressed gratitude for the alternatives and progress he’s skilled. “It’s vital for a program like this to have tangible and bonafide pathways for a scholar to get entangled within the sport,” he stated. “The varsity has offered me loads, not solely on the skilled facet however personally – serving to me develop as a Black man on this nation and studying the best way to carry myself in skilled environments.”
Wanting forward, Caruth is raring to present again to his alma mater as an alumnus. He has already set his sights on making a scholarship to assist future WSSU college students.
