New Chavez scholarship available for fallJan. 22, 2010 KALAMAZOO--Southwest Michigan high school seniors who have demonstrated academic success and civic responsibility in their communities have the opportunity to apply for an up-to-$1,000 scholarship for use this fall at a Michigan college or university. The scholarship is offered through a new program and honors the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez, a Mexican-American civil rights leader. It will be awarded at the Southwest Michigan Cesar E. Chavez Committee's annual dinner on Saturday, March 27, at the Fetzer Center at Western Michigan University. Students living in Kalamazoo, Allegan or Van Buren counties who are enrolled or are planning to enroll as a full-time student at an accredited college or university in Michigan for the 2010-11 academic year are eligible for the scholarship. Scholarship applicants must have earned and maintained a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and show financial need. As part of the application process, students will be required to write an essay describing their experiences, activities and leadership roles, as well as any challenges or obstacles they have had to overcome. The scholarship is not renewable. However, former recipients may apply in succeeding years. Scholarship applications can be obtained, and completed applications can be returned to: Southwest Michigan Cesar E. Chavez Committee The application deadline is Thursday, Feb. 25. For more information, contact committee members Mike Ramirez at miguel.ramirez@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3329, Sylvia Pahl at pahlsylvia@hotmail.com or (269) 372-7937, or Cris Obreiter at cris.obreiter@wmich.edu or (269) 760-8138. Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu WMU News |