Awards like this provide students with opportunities they never imagined. It frees them up from worrying about how to pay the bills 和 allows them to focus on how to change the world.
去年 Tyeisha吉尔, ‘26, learned she was the first recipient of the Martin Richard Fellow Scholarship, 她很兴奋, it meant her dream of working as a private investigator could become a reality.
Established in 2021 by 比尔 和 丹尼斯理查 (both members of the class of 1993), the Martin Richard Fellow Scholarship fully funds tuition, 费用, on campus-housing 和 a meal plan. Each student selected will receive $100,000 to fund four years at Bridgewater State University.
“This scholarship means I get to live on campus for free 和 I get the full college experience,泰莎说. “Since being on campus I’ve been able to connect with people 和 have access to different resources. I’ve been able to get academic counseling 和 scholarship counseling. All of the layers of support have been helpful.”
Ten years ago when 比尔 和 Denise lost their son Martin, 然后8, during the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy, they founded a charity in their son’s name to honor his memory.
The Martin Richard Foundation invests in programs that advance their late son’s values of sportsmanship, 包容, 善良与和平, programs like the Martin Richard Fellow Scholarship.
“This scholarship transforms lives,” said 艾伦·卡特尔·奥利弗, chief development officer of alumni 和 development. “Awards like this provide students with opportunities they never imagined. It frees them up from worrying about how to pay the bills 和 allows them to focus on how to change the world.”
资格, recipients of the scholarship must be graduates of Dorchester’s Neighborhood House Charter School, where Martin 和 his siblings attended 和 where Denise worked as a volunteer librarian.
The scholarship is merit based 和 provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge 和 commitment to civics 和 social justice.
In addition to covering all institutional 费用, the recipient also becomes a Martin Richard Institute for 社会正义 (MRISJ) fellow.
MRISJ Director of Outreach 和 Engagement 詹妮弗的犹, along with other members of the BSU community 和 Neighborhood House Charter School, decide which c和idate is most deserving.
“First, students must maintain a 2.0的绩点, 或者类似的, but what we are really looking for are students who are excited 和 passionate about community service,锡伯杜说, adding that Tyeisha stood out because of her participation in Outward Bound, where she served in a leadership role.
过去的一年, 作为MRISJ的成员, Tyeisha has performed multiple service projects, including her work with School on Wheels, a local program that provides school supplies 和 other resources for homeless students.
She has also been involved with other projects through the Old Colony Y in Brockton.
“Giving back is important to me because if you live in a community, you should do all you can to help those who are struggling. I want to help others as best I can, 我想采取行动, instead of sitting by 和 doing nothing,”她说。.
Watching Tyeisha transition from high school to BSU as she pursues a degree in criminal justice; witnessing her growth as a student, 这很鼓舞人心, 锡伯杜说.
“We couldn’t be more thankful that Tyeisha is our first scholar. She is so open, honest 和 willing to do the work that needs to be done. She is helping us build this 和 helps us better define what this scholarship will look for in terms of future scholars,锡伯杜说.
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