The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has announced that the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program has reviewed tens of thousands of applications and has selected 1000 graduating high school seniors to receive a scholarship, which may be used toward any undergraduate major at the college or university of the recipients’ choice, as long as the school is properly accredited.
Click here to view the 2011 scholarship application submitted by the more than 23,000 applicants nationwide.
The Class of 2011 Gates Millennium recipients represent 44 states, as well as Washington, DC and five US territories: American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The 1000 scholars will be enrolling at 334 different colleges and universities.
Out of those 1000 winners, three are from the Kansas Citymetropolitan area.
- Ismael Hernandez, a graduating senior at Sumner Academy in the Kansas City, KS School District, will attendKansas State University to study architectural engineering.
- Marquita Gant is a graduating senior at Hogan Preparatory Academy, a Kansas City, MO Charter School sponsored by the University of Central Missouri. This is the first time a Hogan Prep student has achieved this honor. Marquita will attend Pittsburg State Universityto study nursing or biology, with career plans to become a nurse practioner or physician's assistant.
- Deanna "Dee" Oliver will study international relations at New York University upon graduating from William Chrisman High School in the Independence School District. This is the second year in a row a student from William Chrisman has won this prestigious scholarship.
The UNCF Gates Millennium Scholarship was established in 1999 to "develop the next generation of America’s leaders." The program is funded by a $1.6 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and endeavors to provide low-income African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to academic excellence, personal character, and service to their community, with the financial means by which they can not only achieve a collegiate education, but ensure a successful future, as well.
Since its inception, more than 15,000 students have received Gates Millennium scholarships and have attended more than 1500 colleges and universities. These campuses include members of the Ivy League, flagship state universities with selective admission criteria, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
In addition to much publicized financial support, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program goes beyond the dollar to also "provide its scholarship recipients with leadership training, mentoring, and academic and social support." The program enjoys a positive reputation in part because of high graduation rates among its scholars, namely a six-year rate of 90%. That percentage represents a full 45% increase over national graduation rates for all college students and is equivalent to graduation rates for college students who come from high-income families.
A complete listing of the Class of 2011 Gates Millennium Scholar recipients is available alphabetically by last name or by home state.
No comments:
Post a Comment