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The Commission for Gender and Sexuality Award Scholarships at Bloomsburg

Bloomsburg, PA (11/08/2022) — The Commission for Gender and Sexuality at Bloomsburg, a Commonwealth University, awards two scholarships each year to provide financial support to students in the LGBTQIA+ community. The first scholarship is endowed directly by the Commission through its annual fundraiser. The second is endowed through the generous gift of friends of the Commission, Joshua Payne '89 and Randy Lyons.

The Commission for Gender and Sexuality awarded Katie Eyler, a junior majoring in chemistry and education, the Payne-Lyons LGBTQA Scholarship. The scholarship is given to a current Bloomsburg student with sophomore academic standing, a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, and participates in LGBTQA programs, clubs, or conferences. The scholarship is renewable as long as all the criteria continue to be met.

Abigail (Abby) Stoudt, a senior majoring in media and journalism on the public relations track, and Rachel Kessler, a second-semester sophomore dual majoring in early childhood/special education, were jointly awarded the LGBTQA Scholarship given to current Bloomsburg students with financial need and at least 24 credits remaining until graduation. The student must participate in LGBTQA programs, clubs, or conferences and submit an essay detailing how receiving this scholarship will assist their education at Bloomsburg.

" I congratulate each of this year's scholarship recipients and thank the Commission for Gender and Sexuality for its recognition of our students' dedication and its scholarship support," said Bashar W. Hanna, University president. "The individuals involved in the Commission are doing great work in supporting our students as we strive for a more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming campus community for all."

"The Commission wishes to thank all those who worked to make these scholarships a reality as well as congratulate our winners," said Damien Marken, scholarship committee chair for the Commission for Sexuality and Gender.

Current Bloomsburg students can apply for the annual scholarships. To be eligible, students must demonstrate financial need, have at least 24 credits remaining until graduation, participate in LGBTQA programs, clubs, or conferences, and submit an essay detailing how receiving this scholarship will assist their education. Bloomsburg students are encouraged to apply for the 2023-224 academic year.

For more information on the LGBTQA Scholarship, contact BU faculty member Damien Marken at 570-389-4333 or dmarken@bloomu.edu

The integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities under the banner of Commonwealth University is a bold investment in the communities and people of Pennsylvania. Our mission is to expand high-quality, affordable academic opportunities to support the needs of all learners. We're building a powerful tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public higher education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs. Together we're honoring our history, investing in today, and building a powerful tomorrow. That's the power of three.