Scarlet & Gay Scholarships Recipients Announced

April 23, 2012

                                   

SCARLET & GAY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Eight Students to Receive Scholarships Sponsored by the OSU GLBT Alumni Society

COLUMBUS – Scarlet & Gay, The Ohio State University’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Alumni Society announced today the eight winners of 2012 OSU GLBT Scholarship Program.

The program provides scholarships to GLBT and ally students attending The Ohio State University who have devoted time and energy toward enhancing the GLBT community. 

Seven scholarships, each for $1,500, were awarded to current OSU undergraduate students.  An additional brand new scholarship in honor of alumnus Thomas Fogel was awarded to a student with a combination of need and service to the community for $2,500.  The Eric Kohring- PFLAG Scholarship is dedicated to students who have contributed to the GLBT community through leadership, service, volunteering or research.  There are five Harold A. McIntosh Scholarships that recognize leadership, service and a new OSU student. The Mark Moffett, Jr. Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a GLBT student majoring in music. 

The 2012 scholarship recipients include:

Heath Barron, junior in Music Education, Mark Moffett Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Dominique Bortmas; junior in Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and English, Thomas Fogel PFLAG Memorial Scholarship

Daniel Ehrman; junior in Human Ecology and Early Childhood Development, Eric Kohring PFLAG Scholarship

Kelsey Gallagher; junior in Anthropology, Harold A. McIntosh Scholarship

Nevin Heard; senior in Psychology and Sociology, Harold A McIntosh Scholarship

Florin Helf; sophomore in Arts Management, Harold A. McIntosh Scholarship

Jordan Kelsey; senior in Spanish and Comparative Studies, Harold A. McIntosh Scholarship

Austin Soejoto; senior in International Studies and Spanish, Harold A. McIntosh Scholarship

"This year’s OSU GLBT Alumni Society scholarship winners are among the most compelling and involved students we’ve ever recognized," said Tim Valentine, OSU GLBT Alumni Society president. "These students are determined to reach their goals at The Ohio State University and we are delighted to help them on their journey."

The 2012 recipients will be recognized at a special Rainbow Celebration on May 30 at the Longaberger Alumni House on The Ohio State University campus.

The GLBT Alumni Society has been dedicated to making studying at The Ohio State University a financial reality for GLBT and students and their allies. Realizing that the financial demands placed on students and families because of the rising cost of higher education is often multiplied for GLBT students.  Fundraising efforts by the Society has made these scholarships a reality. There is a hope that we can reach students who have been turned away by their family for “coming out” and help GLBT students address other financial issues that are unique to them.

Since 1997, the University has partnered with the Columbus Chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in order to offer the Eric Kohring – PFLAG Scholarship. Various gifts from the community, including a seed gift from the estate of Eric Kohring, allowed the GLBT Alumni Society to both offer the scholarships through the years and to create the first endowed scholarship for GLBT students in the state of Ohio.

In 2002, a gift from the estate of Harold “Marc” McIntosh created another five endowed scholarships for GLBT students. This gift was among the first to dedicate scholarships targeted towards people living with HIV and AIDS and towards GLBT students who are new to the University.

In 2005, an additional scholarship, entitled the Mark Moffett, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, was added to recognize an outstanding music major in the GLBT community.  In 2011, through a family donation, a new scholarship named after alumnus Thomas Fogel. 

Members of the scholarship review and selection committee included:

Peg Allemang, PFLAG Columbus; Siobhan Boyd, OSU GLBT Alumni Society board member; Duan Cannon, PFLAG Columbus; Jenn Clarke, PFLAG Columbus; Tamara Davis, OSU professor in College of Social Work; Karl Kisner, OSU alumnus; Debra Moddelmog, OSU professor in English, Sexuality Studies, & English; Charlie Runyan, scholarship committee chair; Diane Stemper, OSU Director of Student Financial Aid; Harrison Hove, meteorologist and reporter for the Ohio News Network; and Angie Wellman, Intercultural Specialist, LGBTQ student initiatives with the OSU Multicultural Center.

The Ohio State University Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Alumni Society's mission is to promote the best interests of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender alumni and students of The Ohio State University. The Society sponsors a scholarship program, social events for students and alumni and collaborates with community organizations regularly to promote awareness and education of GLBT issues.

For more information about Scarlet & Gay: The Ohio State University Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Alumni Society, its scholarship program or how to donate or create a scholarship, visit www.scarletandgay.com.