WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this year, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars announced that a $45,000 grant from the New York Life Foundation would support scholarships for up to 12 college and university students in elite, semester-long internships. Five scholars have been named summer Diversity Fellows, and are working at government agencies and private for-profit and nonprofit organizations based in Washington, D.C. Diversity Scholarships were awarded to Ricardo Cerqueda, Jessica Owen, Charity Taylor, William Washington, and Stephen Wilson for the 2011 summer semester. Two students completed the spring semester and additional scholars will be named for the fall semester. The New York Life Foundation Diversity Scholarships target students who would otherwise not be able to participate at The Washington Center, helping to defray their costs while participating in the Center's programs. Selection is based on an applicant's academic major and performance, professional interests, letters of recommendation and internship placement. Charity Taylor from Marion, OH, a student at Case Western Reserve University, is interning at the International Justice Mission; William Washington from Chicago, IL, a student at Ball State University, is interning at the U.S. Business Administration; Ricardo Cerqueda from Vienna, West Virginia, a student at Ohio Valley University, is interning for the U.S. Marshalls; Stephen Wilson from Bowling Green, KY, a student at Western Kentucky University, is interning at The Empowering Center from Employment and Career Development; and Jessica Owen from Aurora, IL, a student at Wilberforce University, is interning at Trout Unlimited. Since 2002, the New York Life Foundation has given $480,000 to support scholarships for more than 100 of The Washington Center's New York Life Foundation Diversity Scholars.
About The Washington Center
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit organization that serves hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C., for academic credit. The largest program of its kind, The Washington Center has more than 41,000 alumni who have become leaders in numerous professions and nations around the world. It was established in 1975. For additional information, please visit our Web site at www.twc.edu.
About The New York Life Foundation
Inspired by New York Life's tradition of service and humanity, the New York Life Foundation has, since its founding in 1979, provided more than $140 million in charitable contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations. Through its focus on "Nurturing the Children," the Foundation supports programs that benefit young people, particularly in the areas of safe places to learn and grow, educational enhancement opportunities and childhood bereavement. The Foundation also encourages and facilitates the community involvement of employees, agents, and retirees of New York Life through its Volunteers for Life program. To learn more, please visit the Foundation's Web site at www.newyorklifefoundation.org.
Source: New York Life Foundation
