RESOURCES

Press Release, July 13, 2004

For Immediate Release – July 13, 2004

Electronic photos and biographical information on scholars available

First National Foundation Dedicated to Lesbian and Gay Scholarship and Mentoring Announces 2004 “Point Scholars”

Twenty-five outstanding gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students awarded prestigious scholarships to colleges and universities across the US

Chicago, IL — A young Jamaican refugee who was kicked out of his family’s home after coming out and a transgender aspiring civil rights attorney are among this year’s twenty-five Point Scholars, which were announced today. The multi-year scholarships are awarded each year by the Point Foundation to support academic achievement in higher education among disenfranchised lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Point Scholars have demonstrated leadership, scholastic achievement, and a passion for social change. The average Point Foundation scholarship is $14,000 and over $500,000 will be awarded this year.

“Because of homophobia and transphobia in their hometowns, and often within their own families, Point Scholars lack access to traditional sources of college funding,” explained Vance Lancaster, executive director of the foundation. “The Point Foundation acts as a lifeline for outstanding LGBT students, and is the only organization that covers the cost of tuition, books, supplies, room and board, transportation and living expenses in a substantial manner.”

“I want my personal and professional successes to lend a counterexample for LGBT youth who are exposed to the horrible messages in the media, their schools, and in their homes,” said second-year Point Scholar Julie Schell, a Ph.D. candidate at Columbia University. “The Point Foundation has given me the support and resources to make a positive change in my own life so I can help others.”

Annually, the Point Foundation selects a range of students who are racially, ethnically, geographically and academically diverse. The young men and women awarded 2004 Point Scholarships will earn their undergraduate and graduate degrees at some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning and pursue studies in a range of academic areas.

The 2004 Point Scholars are:

Rohan Barrett — Rohan was born and raised in Jamaica and now attends the University of Illinois at Chicago, concentrating in education.

Daniel Bassichis — Daniel was raised in Newton, Massachusetts and now attends Brown University, concentrating on public policy and sociology.

Cris Beam — Raised in San Francisco, Cris has taught journalism at the University of California at Santa Cruz and is now pursuing her MFA in journalism and nonfiction writing at Columbia University.

Julian Breece — Raised in Washington DC, Julian is now working on his master’s degree in cinema and television production at the University of Southern California.

Matthew Cardinale — From Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Matthew is now pursuing his master’s degree in sociology at the University of California at Irvine.

John Downey, Jr. — John grew up in rural Connecticut and is now at Stanford Medical School.

Marcie Fisher-Borne — Marcie was born and raised in southern Mississippi and is now working on her Ph.D. in social work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jesse Gilliam — Jessie was born in Chicago and raised in Alaska and northern Virginia. Jessie is pursuing a master’s degree in public affairs and women’s studies at George Washington University.

Justin Kidd — Raised in Colorado, Justin pursuing his master’s degree form Carnegie Mellon with a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Ryan James Kim — Ryan grew up outside of Denver and is now an economics major at Princeton University. After being disowned by his family, Ryan was forced to take a year off because he couldn't afford college.

Alyn Libman — Alyn was is a transgender man raised in Los Angeles. He is now working on a degree in political science and sociology at the University of California at Berkeley.

Michelle Marzullo — Michelle is from Danbury, Connecticut, and is pursuing a degree in anthropology at American University.

Frank Mataska — Frank is from Locust Valley, New York, and is currently at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts pursuing a degree in film and cinema.

Chris McCall —Raised in Milwaukee, WI, Chris is a Point Scholar alumnus who majored in German and political science.

Ryan Miller — Ryan was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and is at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a degree in journalism.

Jimmy Ray Mortimer II — Jimmy grew up in Glasgow, Kentucky, and is now at Boston University concentrating on design. Jimmy’s family disconnected his Internet access after applying for a Point Foundation scholarship online.

John Pachankis — Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, John is now working on his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Tonia Poteat — Tonia grew up in rural North Carolina and is now working on her Ph.D. in public health at Emory University.

Lawrence Robinson — Lawrence is from Arizona and is currently at New York University pursuing a law degree.

Julie Schell — Julie was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is working on her Ed.D. in higher and post-secondary education at Columbia University.

Christopher Scoville — Raised in Kansas City, Christopher is now at Duke University pursuing a degree in public policy with a sexuality certificate.

Brian Simons — Brian was raised in New Jersey and is pursuing a journalism degree at Rutgers.

Robert Steele — Robert grew up in small town Colorado and is currently at Colorado State University’s Honors College working on a degree in business and commerce.

Matthew Vail — Matt was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and is now at Sarah Lawrence College working on his degree in psychology.

Travis Wright — Travis grew up in rural Tennessee and is now pursuing his Ed.D. at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education concentrating in the areas of human development and psychology.

Garrett Zuercher — Raised in Milwaukee, WI, Garrett is a Point Scholar alumnus. He graduated magna cum laude from Marquette University with a dual degree in writing, intensive English, and theater arts.

Zach Zyskowski — Zach is from the Sierras in California and is working on his undergraduate degree in communications at the University of California at Los Angeles.

The Point Foundation

The Point Foundation is the first and largest nationwide LGBT scholarship foundation, focused exclusively on granting scholarships to undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students of distinction. The foundation is a lifeline for students in need, providing not only multi-year financial grants, but also positive support, mentoring, networking and internship opportunities to young people marginalized, abandoned or rejected because of their sexual orientation or gender identity by their families and unable to find support and community.

A Point Scholarship is the most substantive academic award of its kind, in most cases covering the cost of tuition, books, supplies, room and board, transportation and living expenses and allowing students to excel in the classroom, on campus, and in their communities. Scholarships are based on need and provide substantial funding for scholars’ education, but all Point scholars are also personally invested in their education and take on individual responsibility and contribute to their educational expenses through jobs, student loans and other means.

In addition, Point Scholars are matched with mentors from the professional world who serve as positive role models and provide personal support, ensuring that students build a foundation of leadership skills they can use throughout their lives.

Find out more about The Point Foundation and the 2004 Point Scholars at www.thepointfoundation.org

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