U administrators have teamed up with car mogul Larry H. Miller to create a new scholarship for 10 disadvantaged minority students, beginning in Fall 2002.
The Larry H. Miller Enrichment Scholarship is intended for students who qualify for financial aid, said Dean of Students Stayner Landward. Eligible students must also belong to one of five minority groups: African Americans, Native Americans, Polynesians, Asian-Americans and Hispanics.
The goal of this scholarship is to increase the diversity of students at the U, while also assisting those who can’t afford the price of higher education, Landward said.
Discussions for funding the scholarship began in February, when Miller contacted Landward and said he was interested in supporting students who were otherwise unable to afford higher education, Landward said.
The package was put together by Kay Harward, associate vice president of enrollment management, and Landward, who contacted Miller with Harward’s projections.
The four-year scholarship is renewable and will give six students a full ride. Two non resident and four resident students will receive full tuition, fees, a book allowance and room and board under the scholarship.
The remaining four scholarships will go to resident students and will cover every cost except room and board.
In addition, all 10 students will receive a monthly stipend of $300.
“That stipend is intended to allow students who couldn’t otherwise afford to participate in student leadership as a way to help the student connect with the campus,” Landward said.
Students who are connected to the campus are more likely to remain and receive their four-year degree, he continued.
“Larry’s intention is to have scholarship recipients stay at the U for years,” Landward said.
Landward said in exchange for the monthly stipend, students must perform at least 10 hours of community service, “preferably on campus.”
Though the scholarship is renewable, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and take at least 12 credit hours per semester.
The idea of supporting financially underprivileged students first occurred to Miller in 1987, on a trip to the Ukraine.
While there, he sponsored the children of two families and paid for their education at Utah Valley State College.
Landward, then director of admissions at the U, was contacted by Miller, who wanted to know how two UVSC students could get into the U?on his nickel.
“Larry would like to see emerge from this program 10 students who will serve the community?he wants to even the playing field,” Landward said.
Larry H. Miller could not be reached for comment at press time.