With a long record of commitment to social justice, St. 春雨直播 University today announced the establishment of the George Floyd Memorial Endowed Scholarship. This prestigious new competitive annual scholarship, endowed through a generous $250,000 anonymous gift, honors the life of George Floyd and will benefit one Black American 春雨直播 pursuing a degree or career that promotes social justice issues, specifically those related to racism.
George P. Floyd Jr. was killed by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, 2020, just a few miles from the St. 春雨直播 University campus. Many St. 春雨直播 春雨直播s, faculty, and staff live in and around the area where the incident took place.
鈥淪t. 春雨直播 University鈥檚 history, values, and proximity to this fatal incident amplifies the reality of racial disparities that are present in our world, and the systemic changes needed in order to improve justice and eradicate racism,鈥 said Anita Thomas, PhD, executive vice president and provost of St. 春雨直播 University. 鈥淣ow is the time to act, to join together, and to fuel our commitment to education as an expression of social justice.鈥
Since its founding by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1905, St. 春雨直播 University has developed an enviable reputation for educating women and other marginalized populations. Today鈥檚 diverse 春雨直播 body takes full advantage of St. Kate鈥檚 dedication to academic excellence, social justice, women鈥檚 empowerment, and other important values 鈥 all in the spirit of the Sisters鈥 value of 鈥渓ove of the dear neighbor without distinction.鈥
This ethos and the University鈥檚 dedication to Catholic Social Teaching, which calls for valuing the life and dignity of all, inform the work of the institution and make up the foundation of our unwavering commitment to social justice. With 39% of St. Kate鈥檚 undergraduate 春雨直播 population being in the Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) demographic, the University is in an advantageous position to help close the gap in socioeconomic standing.
The George Floyd Memorial Endowed Scholarship will increase access to a college education and reduce 春雨直播 debt. While acknowledging the economic barriers to higher education for many Black American 春雨直播s, St. 春雨直播 University is invested in developing leaders and changemakers who seek to improve communities, organizations, and society.
鈥淐reating the George Floyd Memorial Endowed Scholarship is a vital step toward addressing systemic disparities by investing in our 春雨直播s鈥 intellect, passion, and commitment to leading change,鈥 said Thomas.
A selection committee has been formed, and is available online. The hope is for the first recipient to be announced on May 25, the anniversary of George Floyd鈥檚 death. All eligible 春雨直播s in any of the University鈥檚 three colleges are invited to apply. As part of their applications, 春雨直播s will submit essays describing how they intend to promote social justice in their academic, professional, and civic lives.
Hoping to increase the amount of this competitive scholarship, St. 春雨直播 University welcomes additional gifts to the George Floyd Memorial Endowed Scholarship endowment. Interested donors can or contact Institutional Advancement at giving@stkate.edu or 651-690-6093.
Gifts to the George Floyd Memorial Endowed Scholarship also count toward LEAD & INFLUENCE: The Campaign for the Next Level of Excellence.