The University of Oregon just took the class of 2019 under its wing, and as concrete evidence these students are more diverse and academically prepared than any other recent incoming class, more than 80 of them received the Diversity Excellence Scholarship, bringing the total number at the UO to around 400.
The scholarship has been easing the financial pressure on college students from all races and backgrounds for several years now. It is a tuition remission award of $6,500 a year for undergraduates and $9,000 a year for graduate and law students.
Diversity Excellence Scholars are chosen primarily based on merit. Applicants must have a 3.6 GPA from their previous academic institutions and be heavily involved in community service. It targets underrepresented students, ethnic minorities and first-generation college students, while also considering the level of financial need.
“We do consider academic achievement, but a large part of it is also about engaging in diversity work, social justice and service work in their communities too,” said Jane Irungu, director of the Center for Multicultural and Academic Excellence. “The idea is to bring people with rich perspectives to the University of Oregon.”
Diversity Excellence Scholars, along with other multicultural student groups, were able to attend a three-day retreat early in October at Camp Harlow in Eugene. The purpose of the retreat was not only to provide resources and information on how to be successful at the university, but also to foster a sense of community and make connections with one another.
Also in the name of community-building and for the first time since 2013, freshman scholars had the option of living together on the same floor in Carson Hall and taking at least one class together each quarter. For the current fall term, they’re taking an education studies course which will be followed by an ethnic studies class during winter term.
To officially welcome the scholars to the university, the annual reception dinner was held Wednesday, Oct. 21, in the Ford Alumni Center’s Guistina Ballroom. Current scholars gave brief speeches about their experience with the program and Vice President of Equity and Inclusion Yvette Alex-Assensoh also made welcoming remarks. UO Trustee Ginevra Ralph also attended with community leaders from Eugene.
“(The scholarship) is a staple at the UO,” Irungu said. “It brings a wide range of minds to the university; they can exchange ideas and enrich other campus communities because of their different lived experiences.”
The Diversity Excellence Scholarship is not the only diversity scholarship awarded to UO students, however. Shaniece Curry has earned the Jewel H. Bell Award of a $4,000 grant for her work promoting the cultural and ethnic diversity of the UO, while the Robert J. Erickson Award of $5,100 a year was awarded to Mariana Ignacio for her commitment to the same cause.
In addition, the Diversity Excellence Scholars Abroad award of $2,000 was given to Gabriel Saldana, who will study in Mexico, and Michelle Chun, who will study in South Korea.
— By Nathaniel Brown, Public Affairs Communications