For Immediate Release
Thursday, February 20, 2003
AFSCME and UNCF Announce Union Scholars Program
WASHINGTON —Two organizations long regarded as leaders in encouraging the empowerment of working families have come together to create a unique college scholarship. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, has teamed with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to introduce the Union Scholars Program.
"AFSCME has always worked hard to create a brighter, more just, and decent future for the children of working men and women. Education is the power needed to break down artificial barriers like race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation that are used to divide us. Given that philosophy, it seemed only natural that we should partner with the United Negro College Fund, which has etched indelibly in our minds the axiom, 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste,'" AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee said.
"This exciting partnership with AFSCME will expand career opportunities for talented students at UNCF institutions across the country," said William H. Gray III, president and CEO of UNCF. "We are extremely appreciative of AFSCME's support and commitment to expanding educational opportunities for deserving young men and women."
The AFSCME/UNCF Scholarship is open to undergraduate sophomores and juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a four-point scale. Applicants seeking their degrees in Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work, History, Psychology, Ethnic Studies, Women's Studies, Labor Studies, or American Studies are encouraged to apply. The scholarship will cover up to $5000 of tuition, an internship stipend of up to $4000, housing during internship, and the benefit of real work experience. Scholarship interns will have the opportunity to do the day-to-day work of union campaign research, material development, and outreach.
How to Apply
Application forms are available for download at www.uncf.org. Applications should be mailed to AFSCME/UNCF, PO Box 1435, Alexandria, Virginia 22313. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2003.
AFSCME is the nation's largest public service employees and health care workers union with more than 1.3 million members nationwide.
