Source: Lori A. Goetsch, 785-532-7492, lgoetsch@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Donna F. Ekart, 785-532-7452, dfe@k-state.edu

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

K-STATE LIBRARIES AWARD MORSE SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDENT FROM OVERLAND PARK

MANHATTAN -- Erin White, Kansas State University junior in family studies and human services, Overland Park, has been awarded the Marjorie J. and Richard L. D. Morse Family and Community Public Policy Scholarship for 2010 from K-State Libraries.

White, who has minors in leadership studies and conflict and trauma studies, will use the scholarship for her summer internship with Disaster Volunteers of Ghana. She will spend seven weeks with the organization working at an orphanage in Sogakofe, Ghana. While caring for and teaching orphans, she also will gain administrative experience in how a community-development oriented nonprofit organization works.

"Erin submitted an excellent application and received high praise from our scholarship review panel," said Lori Goetsch, dean of K-State Libraries. "Her work in Ghana will advance her understanding of community development and give her important, hands-on experience that she will be able to transfer to other settings. Her enthusiasm and passion for outreach exemplifies K-State's land-grant mission."

Awarded by K-State Libraries since 2001, the Morse scholarship provides funds for a K-State undergraduate student to work on a project that impacts public policy and involves community service. The scholarship is made possible through an endowment established by Marjorie J. and Richard L. D. Morse. The role of K-State Libraries, in addition to making the award, is to guide the student through the process of fulfilling the obligations of the scholarship and, as necessary, provide research assistance using the Consumer Movement Archives in the Morse Department of Special Collections.

"Receiving the Morse Family and Community Public Policy Scholarship greatly enhances my ability to pursue a career goal of assisting children living in poverty through community-based programs," White said. "This is something about which I am very passionate. I am blessed because of the impact this scholarship will have on advancing my educational, practical and personal experiences."

White's extracurricular involvements include Quest and Chimes honor societies; The Coalition, a student social justice/human rights advocacy group; serving as the campus contact for Invisible Children; and community volunteer activities at The Crisis Center and the Douglass Center. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and is a Kansas State University Foundation Scholar.

More information on the Marjorie J. and Richard L. D. Morse Family and Community Public Policy Scholarship is available at http://www.lib.k-state.edu/depts/spec/morse-scholarship.html.