Wayne State University's Abraham Lincoln Brigade Veterans Scholarship Committee is accepting nominations for its annual $1,000 student scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded to current Wayne State undergraduate and graduate students who, through their activities or research promoting peace and justice in social, political, and community engagement, best exemplify the values of the WSU students who fought against fascism in Spain in the 1930s.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the scholarship, which was established to commemorate the contribution of WSU students who went to Spain during its civil war to defend the democratic republic in the International Brigades. Of the four volunteers - Robert Nagle, Marsden Moran, Roy McQuarry and Joe Rubenstein - only Nagle survived the war.
Wayne State's Lincoln Brigade Veterans Scholarship is the only student scholarship in the United States to honor these heroes.
Over the years, the scholarship has been supported by Lincoln Brigade veterans, local community leaders and a concert by legendary folk singer Pete Singer. More than 40 students have been recognized for their work promoting peace and social justice.
Their efforts and research have tackled both local and global problems. Previous recipients have included students who established a free medical clinic in Detroit, fought apartheid in South Africa, worked to alleviate poverty in Brazil's slums, spearheaded Detroit's greening effort and wrote on ideas of social justice.
Last year, the committee recognized Law School student Matthew Clark for his defense of Detroit protesters' legal rights and for organizing in defense of the insurability of affordable water to all Detroiters.
The committee also presented Barbara Jones of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies with a scholarship for her involvement in community outreach programs in neighborhoods throughout Detroit.
"I was honored to be an award recipient and I pay homage to the WSU students who bravely fought against fascism," Jones said. "I want to continue representing Wayne State University through my work with the local community, which, as the scholarship shows, has a global message."
Nominations of students and self-nominations should be sent as an email attachment to: Professor Alexander Day at aday@wayne.edu.
Nominations should be accompanied by a statement of up to 500 words explaining why the nominee is deserving of the award. The deadline for nominations is March 18.