GLBT alumni council doubles scholarships to students

At its annual Distinguished Alumni Brunch on July 18, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alumni Council of the Wisconsin Alumni Association awarded $2,000 in scholarships to be applied toward fall 2004 tuition to four UW–Madison students.

Each year, the council usually honors two UW–Madison students who have shown an exemplary commitment to the GLBT community, maintained outstanding academic success and demonstrated financial need. This year, however, generous donations from UW–Madison alumni allowed the council to double its scholarship funds and distribute awards to four students.

Emma Bailey, a UW–Madison art major, was recognized for a number of achievements, including using her talents to attract new members to the Queer Student Alliance.

Fellow award winner Lorenzo Edwards has also pursued artistic endeavors to address GLBT issues. This year, his “Zoe on the Go” comic strip in the Madison Observer addressed gay marriage rights and homophobic attitudes on campus.

Edwards met another scholarship winner, Selamawit Zewdie, as he registered voters for the FUSE (Forwarding United Students Empowerment) student government elections. Zewdie, a student from Ethiopia, secured a position on the Student Services Finance Committee and works to ensure that student organizations create a safe environment for different types of students.

The fourth award recipient, Adam Kelley, boasts accomplishments that include volunteering at the LGBT Campus Center and Briarpatch, as well as assisting with an All Inclusive Marriage Booth on campus.

All current and incoming UW–Madison students are eligible to apply for a GLBT Alumni Council scholarship.