Point Foundation Announces 2018 Scholarship Recipients
Via Press Release from the Point Foundation:
Awards to 45 LGBTQ Students in Programs Ranging from Community College to Advanced Degrees
LOS ANGELES, JUNE 20, 2018 — Point Foundation (Point), the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students, today announced its 2018 scholarship recipients. The 20 LGBTQ students were chosen to be Point Scholars from more than 2,000 applicants. Point is also welcoming 25 LGBTQ students to its Community College Scholarship Program.
This year’s scholarship recipients include seasoned advocates for LGBTQ rights and social justice, impressive young scientists, industrious medical students, and competent young people who will undoubtedly impact professions from law to business and the arts. In addition to their accomplishments, many of the scholarship recipients have overcome barriers to their success that are all too common among LGBTQ individuals, including discrimination, immigration status, homelessness, family rejection, and abuse.
A complete list of scholarship recipients appears below; bios for each are available on Point’s website, www.pointfoundation.org/meet.
“Point’s diverse class of scholarship recipients give us hope and make us proud,” said Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Point Foundation. “These young leaders are determined to make our nation and our world a much better place than it is today. Point is incredibly grateful to the people and companies that support our work and make these opportunities possible for our scholars.”
For 2018–2019, there will be 98 LGBTQ students receiving financial assistance and programmatic support from Point as they pursue their associate, bachelor’s, or advanced degrees. After graduating, students become part of Point’s growing alumni network, connecting them with hundreds of caring individuals and professional contacts throughout the nation. In late July, Point will bring its current scholars and many of its alumni together for its National Leadership Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Notable facts about the 2018 Point Scholar class:
· 70% identify as people of color or bi/multiracial.
· 60% identify as other than male.
· 55% identify as bisexual, polysexual, or queer.
· 45% identify as transgender or gender nonconforming.
· 35% are first-generation college students.
Notable facts about the 2018 Community College Scholarship recipients:
· 72% identify as people of color or bi/multiracial.
· 64% identify as other than male.
· 64% identify as bisexual, polysexual, or queer.
· 40% identify as transgender or gender nonconforming.
· 56% are first-generation students.
Individuals, corporations, and organizations can support Point’s mission by designating a scholarship with a “Name,” which recognizes the donor, an individual, or an institution. Named Scholarship donors pledge to cover the financial assistance and programmatic support Point provides its scholars.
Named Scholarships for Point Scholars are generously being supported by: Anonymous; Arnold Schwab; Barbara Epstein Foundation; Barbey; Calamus Foundation; Fry-Garatea Family; George Benes, MD; HBO; HSBC; Janssen Infectious Diseases; John M. Deciccio; Kevin Hummer; Minton-Spidell-Jackowski; NBCUniversal; Novo Nordisk; Herb Hamsher; Point Honors New York; Rand Skolnick;; Took Trust; Toyota; Viiv; Walter M. Decker; Wells Fargo; William J. Levy.
Named Scholarships for Community College Scholarships are generously being supported by: Big Apple Recreational Sports; California Endowment; Christopher Sowa; Donald Cummins; Jerry & Diane Cunningham; Miami Beach Gay Pride.