Women's Studies Scholarship Recipients Announced

The University of West Georgia women’s studies department recently announced the first recipients of a scholarship funded by a student whose passion for justice inspired him to donate $10,000 to the program.

Joseph Verdell and Rachael Collinsworth were the first two recipients of the scholarship to graduate May 7, according to Women’s Studies Director Tiffany Parsons.

The winners were notified May 2. The announcement of the women’s studies scholarship was made March 17 in celebration of Women’s History Month.

Donor Michael Menkes, a former Army officer who many consider a “hardline” criminologist, knows he isn’t the “normal” women’s studies candidate, but believes acknowledging the accomplishments of women is something “critically important.”

Parsons was “overwhelmed and overjoyed” when Menkes walked into her office and said that he wanted to help students reach their goals of directly impacting the world for and on behalf of women by helping them finish their education in women’s studies.

“It is always pleasant when former students pop by my office as sociology and women’s studies students often go on to do work that makes a direct and positive impact on the world, for example working with the homeless or abused children or rape survivors,” she said. “It’s always a wonderful experience to hear the stories of their recent successes and what they are doing to make a difference in the world.”

The women’s studies program is currently working on a proposal to offer undergraduate and graduate women’s studies certificates.

“A few of our minors are working on research over the summer to present at their first professional conference this fall,” Parsons said. “Details will be announced at the end of summer on Facebook.”

Anyone who is interested in women’s studies and would like to just keep up with what’s going on with the program is encouraged visit its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Womens-Studies-at-UWG/182553658450782. For information on donating to this scholarship, contact James Janis at jjanis@westga.edu or 678-839-6501. For information about women’s studies at UWG, contact Parsons at tparsons@westga.edu or 678-839-6335.

Read more:Times-Georgian - First scholarships awarded for UWG women s studies