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Donors' gift champions diversity at UMSI

Tuesday, 11/15/2016

A gift from Roger Ehrenberg and Carin Levine-Ehrenberg will fund a new diversity scholarship at the School of Information. The Roger Ehrenberg and Carin Levine-Ehrenberg Diversity Scholarship will provide need-based support to students, with preference to students who are the first in their families to attend college or graduate school, who have overcome substantial educational or economic obstacles, or who have demonstrated experience in or commitment to working with historically underserved or underprivileged populations.

“This is the first scholarship gift we’ve received at the School of Information in support of diversity since U-M President Schlissel announced his strategic five-year plan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in October,” said UMSI Dean Thomas A. Finholt. “We are honored by the Ehrenberg’s devotion to our school and their commitment, which parallels our own, to increase the diversity of our student body by making a UMSI education more accessible to more people.”

“Carin and I are passionate supporters of diversity at every level of education,” said donor Roger Ehrenberg, managing partner of IA Ventures. “We are thrilled to invest in UMSI's efforts to attract qualified students who otherwise couldn't attend for financial reasons. Bringing together faculty and students from a wide array of backgrounds is one of the reasons UMSI is so special, and why our graduates are making such a positive impact on the world. They are being exposed to different perspectives from peers with a variety of life experiences, and learning empathy, joint problem-solving, and powerful technical and leadership skills.”

“Having scholarship funds dedicated to support students with diverse backgrounds and experiences irrespective of their financial means to attend UMSI is of critical importance to our mission as a public institution and to our interest in a strong learning environment that includes many different perspectives,” said Judy Lawson, incoming assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion (pending regental approval).

“I applaud the Ehrenbergs for their generous gift and I encourage others to step up and participate in the matching program,” Lawson said. “These funds make it possible for outstanding students to achieve their educational and career aspirations and have life changing impact.”

A 1:1 match is currently available for contributions to the Roger Ehrenberg and Carin Levine-Ehrenberg Diversity Scholarship Fund and for new diversity-related scholarships at the School of Information.

A previous gift by the Ehrenbergs supported the expansion of the entrepreneurship program at UMSI by funding the position of the Ehrenberg Director of Entrepreneurship.

For more information on the match, contact the UMSI development department at [email protected].

- UMSI News Service