Albion's $100,000 Grant from Hearst Foundation Aims to Foster Science Diversity
Albion's math and science departments received a boost in their efforts to encourage underrepresented groups and women to study math and science with a $100,000 grant from The Hearst Foundation, Inc.
Starting in the fall of 2009, a $5,000 William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to Michigan students from underrepresented ethnic or racial groups and/or women who are interested in majoring in science or mathematics.
The goal of the Hearst Scholarship is to create a strong and dynamic learning community, according to Albion President Donna Randall.
"I applaud and thank the Hearst Foundation for supporting our efforts to attract a more diverse population to the sciences and math," Randall said. "Enrolling and retaining underrepresented individuals and women in these fields is vital to Albion's liberal arts tradition. We continue to look for innovative ways to educate our students for the jobs of the future, and the Hearst Scholarship will heighten our efforts."
"The experience for everyone at Albion will be enhanced by the recipients of this scholarship," said David Seely, chair and professor of physics.
Doug Kellar, interim vice president for enrollment, noted that competition with research universities for top science and math students is strong.
"It's more difficult for schools like Albion to compete with larger research universities in attracting talented underrepresented students and women to the sciences and math, so awards like this are key to our recruitment and retention," Kellar said. "We really appreciate the Hearst Foundation's investment in the future with their establishment of this endowed scholarship fund."