Yesterday, Barnard announced a new scholarship that will completely fund the education of a student whose education has been interrupted as a result of result of war, persecution, conflict, natural disaster, or crisis. Called the Ann and Andrew Tisch Scholarship for Refugee Women, the scholarship generously covers all academic expenses a student would encounter during their time in college, including tuition, housing, meals, books, travel, and even stipends for internships and other co-curricular activities.
Barnard parents Ann and Andrew Tisch are excited to fund this scholarship, as they both have notable involvement in educating girls and young women. Ann founded and currently presides over Young Women’s Leadership Network, while her husband is currently writing a book about immigration. The idea came from Barnard senior Maia Bix, who felt frustrated that Barnard hadn’t done more about the Syrian refugee crisis. After approaching President Spar in 2016, she was encouraged to draft a proposal advising the College on what it could do. Ultimately, she settled on a scholarship because she believes “it’s a concrete, impactful response.” Her peers are on board as well, as the Class of 2017 plans on donating 25% of the money raised through the Senior Fund to the scholarship program. Read more about it here.
Photo via Bwog Archives