The American Indian College Fund Names 12 New $20,000 Tribal Scholarship Recipients

American Indian College Fund
Thursday, 1 May 2003

Program Created and Funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Twelve American Indian college students have been named new scholarship recipients for the 2003-2005 academic years under the American Indian College Fund's Tribal Scholars Program, which is underwritten by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Each scholarship is for $20,000 to be paid over two years, and the recipients may use the award to work toward an undergraduate degree in science, mathematics, computer science, engineering or resource management at any U.S. college or university.

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation created the Tribal Scholars Program in 1996 in recognition of the fact that many graduates of two-year tribally controlled colleges and universities wanted to continue their undergraduate studies at four-year institutions. In partnership with the American Indian College Fund, the Foundation hopes to increase the number of graduates prepared to enter careers in science and engineering by providing American Indian students with the ongoing support they need to complete four-year degrees and become leaders in the technical and economic development of their tribes. The scholarship funds may be used to cover costs of tuition and fees, room and board, books, necessary equipment and supplies, and travel to and from home.

The new Tribal Scholars, in alphabetical order, along with their tribal affiliations, place of permanent residence, tribal college and the college they plan to attend or are attending are:

• Kim Black Eagle (Sisseton Wahpeton) of Frazer, Mont.; Fort Peck Community College; Montana State University-Northern.


• Alphonso Colegrove (Hoopa Valley) of Ferndale, Wash.; Northwest Indian College; Western Washington University.


• Mark Couture (Salish Kootenai) of Pablo, Mont.; Salish Kootenai College; will continue at Salish Kootenai College.


• Dwayne Folden (Salish Kootenai) of Pablo, Mont.; Salish Kootenai College; Montana State University.


• Cheyenne Garcia (Mohave/Colorado River) of Bellingham, Wash.; Northwest Indian College; Western Washington University.


• Camille Green (Rosebud Sioux) of Sisseton, S.D.; Sisseton Wahpeton College; Oglala Lakota College.


• Rory Griffin (Menominee) of Keshena, Wis.; College of Menominee Nation; Rocky Mountain College.


• Stormy Hulit (Omaha) of Walthill, Neb.; Little Priest Tribal College; Briar Cliff University.


• Edwina Melkus (Crow) of Crow Agency, Mont.; Little Big Horn College; Montana State University.


• Anthony Rider (Gros Ventre) of Hays, Mont.; Fort Belknap College; University of Montana-Missoula.


• Jim Sanovia (Rosebud Sioux) of Rapid City, S.D.; Oglala Lakota College; South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.


• Randall Wollenhaup (Stockbridge-Munsee) of Shawano, Wis.; College of Menominee Nation; University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Two alternates also were chosen. They are:

• Claudine Goldtooth (Navajo/Diné) of Tuba City, Ariz.; Northwest Indian College; University of Washington.


• Kimberly Paul (Blackfeet) of Browning, Mont.; Blackfeet Community College; University of Montana.

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation has a long-standing commitment to increasing participation of underrepresented groups in the sciences and engineering, including American Indians and their educational institutions, specifically tribal colleges. Tribal colleges are a vibrant part of the educational landscape in America. Founded by American Indians, tribal colleges are located on or near reservations in the midwestern and western United States. Tribal Scholars Program recipients are nominated by their tribal colleges and go through a rigorous selection process. More information on the David and Lucile Packard Foundation can be found at www.packfound.org.

The American Indian College Fund, established in 1989, has spent more than a decade helping increase educational opportunities for Native students. With its credo "educating the mind and spirit," the Denver-based nonprofit distributes scholarships and support to 34 tribal colleges in 12 states. This aid directly supports more than 6,000 scholarships each year. The Fund also supports endowments, developmental needs and public awareness, as well as college programs in Native cultural preservation and teacher training.

For more information, or to contact American Indian College Fund, see their website at: www.collegefund.org