Buffalo State College has established a George Floyd Memorial Scholarship that aims to "lift up future African American leaders who support racial justice an equity efforts in their communities."
The scholarship was formed in response to a challenge issued by President Scott Hagan of North Central University calling on colleges and universities to establish such a scholarship fund. Kate Conway-Turner, president at Buffalo State, said the school believed it was important to tackle the challenge.
“I really think George Floyd’s killing was the tipping point for many community members to understand that something needs to be done,” said Conway-Turner. “So part of the thought of accepting the challenge to have a scholarship in his name, is to keep his name alive as a symbol of someone who lost his life in a very unjust way.”
The scholarship will provide one incoming freshman each year a $10,000 scholarship that will be renewable over four years.
“We want to provide this scholarship for a young man or woman who really embraces the ideals of justice and equality,” Conway-Turner said. “Not only will it be a wonderful way to support a student, but it will also be a way to help us in this way, invest in future leadership. Leaders who are talking about bringing people together, and who really want to fight to make sure that our country solves these very difficult problems that have been going on for hundreds of years.”
Materials to apply for the scholarship are still being set up, but interested students can call the Buffalo State College admissions office for more details on applying.
