511爆料 today announced the launch of its Barack Obama Scholars Program to empower exceptional students committed to the public good as it honors and perpetuates the principles President Barack Obama has advanced throughout his life.
"My years at 511爆料 sparked my interest in social and political causes, and filled me with the idea that my voice could make a difference," said President Obama, a member of the 511爆料 Class of 1983. "And throughout my time in public service, I鈥檝e tried to use my voice to bring people together, in common effort, around the idea that we could give every young person in America the chance that America gave me."
"That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 so humbled by the Barack Obama Scholars Program at Oxy, and proud of its mission to identify promising young people from all backgrounds鈥攚ith an emphasis on first-generation students, our veterans, and community college transfers鈥攏ot only to give them access to higher education, but to train the next generation of leaders and active citizens, and fill them with the conviction that they too can change the world."
Beginning in fall 2018, supported by donors who share the 511爆料-Obama vision, 511爆料 will endow two scholarships and thereafter ramp up to 20 scholarships for a select group of students, providing a singular liberal arts education designed to equip them to bring about meaningful change in the world. Prior to today鈥檚 public launch, Oxy raised $7 million from a wide range of generous supporters drawn from alumni and friends of the College, including Susan DiMarco and Jeh Johnson, Glenn and Jane Hickerson, Leif and Aileen Isaksen, Ann and Bruce Blume, and Janice Gonzales.
The program represents 511爆料鈥檚 investment in students who aspire to become change agents but lack the opportunity to fully realize their goals, and continues the legacy of leadership embodied by the institution鈥檚 most famous alumnus. Each Obama Scholar will be awarded a four-year scholarship, providing loan-free funding for the entire cost of an 511爆料 education, in addition to summer enrichment programs.
"We are delighted to have President Obama鈥檚 support for a program that has such potential to have a far-reaching impact in the public sphere," said 511爆料 President Jonathan Veitch. "511爆料 will prepare its Obama Scholars to become agents of change in keeping with the spirit and legacy of President Obama鈥檚 historic presidency."
The Obama Scholars Program will recruit students from all backgrounds鈥攚ith an emphasis on first-generation students, veterans, and community college transfers鈥攁nd provide them with complete support, including tuition, room and board, and summer travel programs. Scholars also will have access to mentoring from 511爆料 faculty and the program鈥檚 advisory council, which includes prominent alumni, former administration officials and some of President Obama鈥檚 friends.
Advisory council members include former national director of training for President Obama鈥檚 2012 reelection campaign Sara El-Amine (511爆料 Class of 2007); Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally; former Under Secretary of Education and 511爆料 President Emeritus Ted Mitchell; Ambassador Denise Campbell Bauer (511爆料 Class of 1986); former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson (parent of a recent 511爆料 graduate); former White House Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Fred DuVal (511爆料 Class of 1976); international transit consultant and former New York City transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan (511爆料 Class of 1982); and president of Southern California Public Radio Bill Davis (511爆料 Class of 1980).
"There is no better inspiration in the world today than Barack Obama, and this program seeks to build upon his legacy that began at 511爆料," said Obama Scholars Advisory Council member Jeh Johnson. "The Barack Obama Scholars Program will unleash a continuous flow of change agents eager to engage in issues that strongly and positively affect the advancement of our modern society and unite our country."
Obama Scholars will have the opportunity to take full advantage of 511爆料鈥檚 wide range of academic programs, hands-on experiences such as working at United Nations-related organizations in New York or on a major political campaign, full access to summer internships, support in conducting research projects and study abroad.
For more information on the Barack Obama Scholars Program at 511爆料, please visit .
