Washington Foundation funds
graduate scholarships

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation has launched a $10,000 fellowship for American Indian graduate students at Montana’s two universities.

Native American leaders on both the UM and Montana State University campuses said the new Washington Native American Graduate Fellowship will provide a timely boost for recipient students, who will then go on to positively impact their communities.

“These fellowships are a significant contribution to the strategic diversity goals of the two graduate universities of the state of Montana,” said David Strobel, dean of the UM Graduate School. “They provide the opportunity for Native American students to pursue their highest academic dreams and aspirations.”

Patrick Weasel Head, director of American Indian Student Services at UM and a member of the Blackfeet and Gros Ventre tribes, said there are many challenges in recruiting, retaining and graduating American Indian students. The fellowship, he said, will encourage Indian students to pursue their dreams.

"Increasingly, American Indian students are considering graduate school, as they see a graduate degree as the key to meaningful leadership opportunities. But the financial obstacles they encounter are often insurmountable,” Weasel Head said. “By significantly mitigating the financial burden, the Washington fellowship will make it possible for more American Indian students to pursue their studies at the graduate level.”

“This generous gift will make a wonderful difference for Native American involvement in graduate education,” said UM President George Dennison. “It seems to follow as well from the willingness of the Washingtons to help people respond to the challenges they confront in life.”

Students interested in applying for the fellowships may contact the UM Graduate School at 406-243-2572 or log on to http://www.umt.edu/grad/.