FYI... Stefanie Rixecker ECOFEM Coordinator ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Joann L. Burrough Department of Animal Science: support staff Department of Human Ecology: graduate student http://www.msu.edu/~burroug3 "Life is a marvelous, transitory adventure." -Nikki Giovanni Pride scholarship to benefit LGBT students at MSU (Note - please distribute widely.) A new scholarship fund has been created to assist LGBT students at Michigan State University. "The Pride Scholarship" was established by Bill Beachler, an MSU alumnus, working with GLFSA and the university's fund raising office. "I see a day when one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered high school students will be honored, by receiving a full ride scholarship to MSU," Beachler said. "I wanted to create a program that will reward LGBT students for who they are, rather than shame them." Beachler has inaugurated the Pride Scholarship with both a cash gift and a pledged bequest. Scholarship recipients will be selected by members of GLFSA, an organization of LGBT faculty, staff, and graduate students at MSU. "I am very excited about this program," said Val Meyers, President of GLFSA and Assistant Director of Financial Aid. "Bill's generosity and vision will benefit many students in the coming years, and we are grateful to him for initiating the Pride Scholarship." The Pride Scholarship will initially award $500 annually. A companion endowment fund will enable contributions to accumulate interest under the financial management of the university, which will eventually make larger awards possible. The endowment fund has already received $1,500 in cash and several bequests of various sizes. Beachler and Meyers both indicated that the Pride Scholarship will make a significant difference for college-bound LGBT youth. "I attended MSU as an out-of-state student on a scholarship," Beachler said. "It was as affordable to come to MSU as it would have been to stay in my home state, so I am aware of the important role scholarships can play in recruiting students." "We know that LGBT students sometimes have particular difficulties attending or staying in college," Meyers said. "Often, these students are estranged from their family and peers, and their academic progress can be hampered because they are struggling with their sexual orientation or their gender identity." Scholarship applicants will submit a personal statement that documents their qualifications and their involvement with the LGBT community. Applications are due May 1. GLFSA will review the applications and forward recipient recommendations to MSU's Office of Financial Aid. Awards will be made for fall semester each year. Beachler has bachelor's and master's degrees from MSU's business college, and is employed by the State of Michigan. He is a long-time activist in the LGBT community, both in Lansing and state-wide. Many in the community know Beachler in his role as secretary of LAHR, the Lansing Association for Human Rights. He is also the publisher of LAHR's monthly newsletter. Beachler anticipates that other alumni and employees of MSU will contribute to the scholarship. Donations of cash, securities, and bequests may be directed to the University Development office at MSU, or to GLFSA. For additional information about the Pride Scholarship, applications, and instructions for making a donation, contact: GLFSA P.O. Box 6951 East Lansing, MI 48826 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.msu.edu/~GLFSA ------- End of forwarded message ------- ************************************ Dr. Stefanie S. Rixecker, Senior Lecturer Environmental Management & Design Division Lincoln University, Canterbury PO Box 84 Aotearoa New Zealand E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fax: 64-03-325-3841 ************************************
