Lansing Community College has recently garnered national attention for being the first two-year institution in the U.S. to offer an LGBT Scholarship. An
article appeared in the Huffington Post in January announcing the ground-breaking scholarship.The Betsy Lou Robson Memorial Scholarship was established by Robson's friends and family. The fund is administered by the
LCC Scholarship Foundation and is intended to benefit LCC students who are self-identified as Lesbian, Gay Bisexual or Transgender.
“She was a beloved sister and friend,” says Peggy Hellwig, Scholarship Program Coordinator for the LCC Foundation, “and [her friends and family] thought this would be a great way to honor her memory.”
“We’re thrilled to take in and give out scholarship money,” Hellwig says. “We’re thrilled that someone sees value in the education of other people.”
The Betsy Lou Robson Scholarship was announced in October, and the first round of applicants is currently under evaluation. Preference will be given to LCC students who have taken part in LGBT advocacy efforts in the past. One to two awards will be given per year totaling $2,600 to be distributed over four semesters on a graduated scale.
Robson says the new scholarship’s national attention is a good thing.
“We think our donors here at the foundation do tremendous work and we’re excited to have other people recognize that.”
The scholarship fund remains open for donations to anyone who wishes to contribute.
Source: Peggy Hellwig, LCC Foundation
Writer: Natalie Burg, News Editor
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