January 27, 2006

UCSD Students Accepted as Gates Scholars

By Pat JaCoby

Nearly 60 students at the University of California, San Diego, have been accepted in the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Gates program was established in 1999 to provide support for outstanding African American, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanic American students who are completing undergraduate work in all discipline areas and graduate studies in mathematics, science, engineering, education or library science. One of the major goals of GMS is to reduce the financial barriers for students from ethnically underrepresented groups with high academic and leadership promise who are at a significant economic disadvantage.

“We are very pleased and appreciative to have such a high number (57) of Gates Millenium Scholars attending UCSD,” said Joseph Watson, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. “UCSD has outstanding students, many of whom would not be able to attend UCSD and would not fully benefit from the full range of academic and co-curricular enrichment activities without financial aid support like the kind provided by the GMS program.”

Students are nominated for the GMS program, which is administered by the United Negro College Fund, by principals, teachers, counselors, tribal higher education representatives and other professional educators. Students who are nominated must have strong leadership potential and a demonstrated commitment to community service. Since 1999, more than 9,000 students throughout the U.S. have been awarded a GMS scholarship.

Media Contacts: Pat JaCoby, 858 534-7404.