3rd annual Graduate Diversity Fellows Dinner
On March 7, 2006, The Graduate School hosted the 3rd annual UW Graduate Diversity Fellows Dinner. Over 250 guests attended the event, which featured Gloria Steinem as the keynote speaker and recognized the successes of graduate students who have received funding from the UW Graduate Diversity Fellows program.
One of these fellows, 2005 Graduate School Medalist Mae Henderson, spoke to the audience about the incredible difference GO-MAP support has made in her own educational experience at the UW. GO-MAP has given her a greater sense of responsibility and incentive to continue, "Paving the way for others." She explained that because of GO-MAP, "I am focused on completing my degree and securing a faculty position that will allow me to help students who feel insignificant and marginalized, much like I did, to realize their potential and make this world a better place in which the voices and experiences of people of all backgrounds are heard and valued."
The Diversity Fellowship Program provides $5,000+ fellowships, in addition to the tuition and benefits package the University already provides. This additional funding allows departments to compete with peer universities while actively addressing the fact that 35 percent of the UW's graduate programs do not have any minority students enrolled.
The Dinner was also a significant milestone for GO-MAP and The Graduate School in advancing the School's campaign to raise a $1.5 million Graduate Diversity Fellows endowment. Building upon considerable initial support for the Initiative, The Graduate School announced a newly endowed fellowship for Native American graduate students in the humanities and social sciences. This fellowship, given by an anonymous donor, totals $210,000 in gifts and matches and will benefit Native American graduate students in perpetuity.
For more information about GO-MAP please visit http://www.grad.washington.edu/gomap/.
To find out more about supporting diversity in Graduate Education please visit http://www.grad.washington.edu/gomap/default.htm