Introduced to America as laborers in the early nineteenth century, Asians have played an integral role in the development of our nation. Through hard work and determination, our Asian ancestors established a strong presence as immigrants belying the stereotype that Asian Americans are passive, submissive, and indifferent.
In recent years, Asian Americans have gained prominence in all areas of American society as lawyers, teachers, doctors, and workers of all kinds. Despite this progress, the impression remains that Asian Americans are stereotypically not leaders, activists, or strong role models because they continue to live in tight-knit, traditional communities outside the public eye.
To counter this impression and highlight the important role of Asian Americans in our history and future, Boston College, with a donation from the Jesuit Community, has established a scholarship fund to celebrate the accomplishments of students who represent the highest ideals and aspirations of the university and the Asian American community.
The Asian American Scholarship recognizes a Boston College junior who has demonstrated superior academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, community service, and involvement with the Asian American community and Asian American issues both on and off campus. The scholarship pays up to $12,000 toward senior year tuition for the winner. In addition, all finalists in the competition also win scholarships of up to $3000. The winner and all finalists also receive $1000 gift certificates to the Boston College Bookstore.
This scholarship was created in 1995 through the initiative of a group of students, faculty, and administrators.
A selection committee composed of faculty members, staff, administrators and students reviews all applications and finalists are selected on the basis of two main criteria:
- Academic accomplishments as evidenced by strong grades, an ambitious selection of courses, and the integration of academic interests with personal goals; and
- Participation in activities, on campus or off, that serve others, and that help strengthen the Asian American community and its contributions to the larger American society.
To be considered, you must be:
- a full-time Boston College junior
- a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States
- in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
- active in community service to the Asian American and wider communities on and/or off campus
- involved with Asain American issues and the Asian American community
Selection of the Asian American Scholarship winner will be made by a Selection Committee consisting of staff, faculty, alumni and students.
Preliminary applications: one-page preliminary application form should be completed and along with a comprehensive resume or list of activities be submitted to Dr. Joseph Burns, Associate Vice Provost, Gasson Hall 106 by March 12, 2008.
Second round: The most promising of the preliminary applicants as determined by the committee will be invited to submit a supplementary essay on Asian American issues and at least one letter of recommendation is required for the second round of the competition.
Interview: A number of the applicants selected in the essay stage of the process will be interviewed by the Selection Committee. The finalists and the 2008 Asian American Scholarship winner will be selected from those interviewed.
Statement of Certification and Release: All applications must include a signed Certification and Release statement in order to be considered.
Announcement of Scholarship Winner: Finalists will be notified in late March or early April. The announcement of the winner will be made during the award ceremony on Monday, April 28, 2008.
Completed applications must be submitted to Dr. Joseph Burns, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences, Gasson 106 by March 12, 2008.
Click here for the preliminary application. Alternatively, hard copies are available at Dean Burns' office in Gasson 106.
For more information about the scholarship, contact:
Joseph Burns
Associate Academic Vice President for Undergraduate Programs,
Office of the Academic Vice President
(617) 552-3273
burnsj@bc.edu
Ramsay Liem
Professor of Psychology
(617) 552-4108
liem@bc.edu
Asian American Scholarship
- Dean Joseph Burns, Arts and Sciences, Committee Chair
- Dean James Halpin, Academic Dean, Carroll School of Management
- Prof. Ramsay Liem, Psychology Department
- Prof. Min Song, English Department
- Prof. Billy Soo, Accounting Department
- Dean Karl Bell, Assistant Dean, Office of the Dean for Student Development
- Prof. Ted Youn, Lynch School of Education
- Donna Vivar, First Year Experience
- Donna Lee, Office of AHANA Student Programs
- Prof. Christina Klein, English Department
- Kuong Ly'08, scholarship recipient 2007
- Monica Guen '08, Asian Caucus
|
Year |
Winner |
|
1996 |
Jackson Quan |
|
1997 |
Steven Kim and Jocelyn Manuel |
|
1998 |
Sophy Theam |
|
1999 |
Judy Pisnanont |
|
2000 |
Shireen Zaman |
|
2001 |
Dawn Lozada |
|
2002 |
 |
|
2003 |
 |
| 2004 |  |
| 2005 |  Jina Moon |
| 2006 |  Annie Le |
| 2007 |  Kuong Ly |
Relationship with Asian Caucus
The Asian Caucus is an umbrella organization for nine Asian cultural clubs that seek to educate the Boston College community about the many different Asian cultures and the shared Asian American experience. To this end the Asian Caucus sponsors and/or organizes lectures, performances, workshops, artistic performances, culinary delights, and the Asian American Scholarship.
The member clubs include:
- Chinese Student Association
- Indonesian Cultural Club of Boston College
- Japan Club of Boston College
- Korean Students Association
- Philippine Society of Boston College
- South Asian Students Association
- Southeast Asian Students Association
- Thai Students Association
- Vietnamese Students Association
The Asian Caucus organizes the end of the year event where the recipient of the scholarship is announced.