The LGBT Studies Program welcomes private support to nurture the
program in important new ways. Individuals who wish to support the
growth of LGBT Studies at the University of Maryland have several
opportunities to make a significant impact. Among the priorities
that would greatly benefit from private support are:
The Rodler-Wood Scholarship was established in
2004 by Maryland alum James Wood (1972) and his partner Peter Rodler.
The scholarship is awarded in the spring, and selection is based
on one or more of the following criteria: demonstrated financial
need, hardship based on sexual orientation, academic interest in
LGBT Studies, and extracurricular activities on behalf of LGBT issues.
(Mr. Rodler and Mr.Wood have also made plans to use their estate
to endow a professorship in LGBT Studies.) To contribute to this
fund, make checks payable to the University of Maryland College
Park Foundation and write, "Rodler-Wood Scholarship Fund"
in the memo line, or go to https://advancement.usmd.edu/OnlineGiving/umd.html#giving_form.
(Type "Rodler-Wood Scholarship" in the space that allows
you to "Specify 'Other' Fund or School/College.")
Winners of the Rodler-Wood Scholarship
2008: Damion Clark, PhD Program, English
2007: Kimberly Bonner, MA Program, Sociology
2006: Katherine Kuvalanka, PhD Program, Family Studies
2005: Natalie Prizel, Undergraduate, English & LGBT Studies;
Vincent Stephens, PhD Program, American Studies
Scholarships and Support are generally for students
working in LGBT Studies. Scholarships can be either current use,
in which case the money donated would go directly to a qualified
student or students the year in which it was donated, or gifts of
$50,000 or greater can establish a permanent named endowed scholarship
fund, one that would produce annual scholarship support in perpetuity.
Awards and Prizes given to students and professors
in LGBT Studies, with the purpose of encouraging academic excellence
in LGBT research, scholarship, writing, and teaching. A writing
prize, for instance, might be given to the student who submits the
best scholarly paper in LGBT Studies in a given academic year. Permanent
endowments for awards and prizes bearing the name of the donor(s)
or another individual to be honored can be established for $10,000
or greater, or one-time awards can be made for $500 or greater.
Speaker Series needs support through either the
establishment of a permanent endowment or through annual cash contributions.
Currently the cost of the annual series is approximately $10,000.
A permanent endowment and naming rights for the speaker series can
be established with a gift of $200,000 or greater, while individual
gifts of any amount can be used to support the series in any given
year. A single lecture can be supported with a gift of any size.
Research Awards/Graduate Fellowships are needed
to attract top graduate students to pursue LGBT Studies at Maryland
and to help them concentrate on their studies (rather than working
to support their studies) while they are here. A permanent named
endowed fund to support graduate research awards and fellowships
can be established with a gift of $25,000 or greater.
Travels Grants and Awards for students who need
to attend academic conferences on LGBT Studies, make presentations,
or conduct research over an extended period of time. In the case
of research, the grants can be tied into a requirement to present
the results of the research in a public lecture upon returning to
campus. One-time travel grants and awards can be supported for any
gift of $500 or greater, and a permanent named endowment supporting
travel grants can be established for $10,000 or greater.
Performance Awards for artists whose work is important
to LGBT Studies and the LGBT community. Recently, playwright Moisés
Kaufman visited campus, lectured, worked with students actors, and
sat in on rehearsals of his play, The Laramie Project, which was
being performed by the Theatre Department and had been selected
as the University.s First Year Book. The ability to attract future
performances of this caliber to campus would significantly enrich
the lives of Maryland students and broaden opportunities for students
in LGBT Studies. Gifts of any amount can support the LGBT Studies
Program in inviting artists to campus in the future.
For more information about these or other ways you might become
a partner to the growth of LGBT Studies at Maryland, please contact:
