Spectrum Scholarship winners announced

For Immediate Release
Tue, 06/22/2010

Contact:

Gwendolyn Prellwitz

Assistant Director

American Library Association Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services

3122805048

gprellwitz@ala.org

CHICAGO - This year, the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Diversity is awarding a new round of Spectrum Scholarships.

The Spectrum Scholarship Program provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students pursuing graduate degrees in library and information studies. Its mission is to improve service at the local level through the development of a representative workforce that reflects the communities served by all libraries. Since 1997, the ALA has awarded more than 680 Spectrum Scholarships.

The 2010 Spectrum Scholars are:

  • Ameerah Al-Mateen, University of Pittsburgh
  • Ana-Elisa Arredondo, University of Arizona
  • Sheena Barbour, University of Denver
  • JaTara Barnes (ACRL Scholar), Syracuse University
  • Julianna Barrera-Gomez, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
  • Sofia Becerra-Licha, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
  • Holly Beeman, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
  • Joseph Bellanca, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
  • Felipe Alberto Castillo (Clowney Scholar), University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
  • Vivian Choy, University of California, Los Angeles
  • Grace Chung, University of Washington
  • Carla-Mae Crookendale, Valdosta State University
  • Sherry Elaine Cuadrado, University of Pittsburgh
  • Mariaelena de la Rosa (MLA/NLM Scholar), University of Arizona
  • LaNesha "Gail" DeBardelaben, Indiana University - Bloomington
  • Wendy Dere, San Jose State University
  • Hoan-Vu Do (YALSA Scholar), San Jose State University
  • Janis Elmore (Teeple Scholar), Dominican University
  • Emmanuel L. Faulkner, University of Maryland - College Park
  • Concepcion Flores, San Jose State University
  • Yrenes Fornes, University of South Florida
  • Sylvia Franco (ALSC Scholar), University of Texas - Austin
  • Nancy Gallegos (REFORMA Scholar), Dominican University
  • Jennifer Irene Garrett, University of British Columbia
  • Benita Ghura, San Jose State University
  • Mary E. Gibson, Simmons College
  • Peter Grassman, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
  • Aron B. Gutierrez, Indiana University Purdue University – Indianapolis
  • Darla Rose Gutierrez, Queens College (CUNY)
  • Jennifer Hamada, University of Hawaii – Manoa
  • Dorothy Hargett, University of Tennessee
  • Brandon Hodge, University of North Texas
  • Julie Hong, San Jose State University
  • Amiya P. Hutson, University of Pittsburgh
  • Latanya Ingraham (AASL Scholar), Clarion University
  • Angelica Johnson, University of Washington
  • Andrea G. Johnson, University of Missouri – Columbia
  • Mosi Kamau (Giles Scholar), Dominican University
  • Emily Kornak, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
  • Christopher Kyauk (CALA Scholar), San Jose State University
  • Jacqueline Macias, University of Arizona
  • Katy Mahraj (MLA/NLM Scholar), University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
  • Sylvia Martinez, University of South Florida
  • Leni Matthews, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
  • Ramona Melody, Simmons College
  • Claudia M. Melton, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
  • Christian Minter (Gordon Scholar), Catholic University of America
  • Jeri C. Morton, Florida State University
  • Julie Motooka, University of Hawaii – Manoa
  • Karla Anne Merino Nielsen, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
  • Jefferson Perales, Queens College (CUNY)
  • Vanessa Pozan, Long Island University
  • Erin Prentiss, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
  • Daniel Ramirez, University of Maryland – College Park
  • Anna Lisa Raya Rivera (Turock Scholar), Rutgers University
  • Yesenia Rosado, Fairfield University
  • Sarah Hashemi Scott, San Jose State University
  • Sandy Shitanishi, University of Hawaii – Manoa
  • Mishalla Spearing, University of Hawaii – Manoa
  • Rachel Keiko Stark, Drexel University
  • Yvonne Stephenson, Texas Women's University
  • Sean Sullivan, San Jose State University
  • Julie Tanaka, University of Washington
  • Adoracion Thomas, University of Oklahoma
  • Jade Torres-Morrison, San Jose State University
  • Susan Trujillo, San Jose State University
  • Kia Vang, University of Wisconsin – Madison
  • James W. Wallace Jr. (Calloway Scholar), Indiana University Purdue University – Indianapolis
  • Amanda Webb-Trujillo, Simmons College
  • Kui Wedemeyer, University of Hawaii - Manoa
  • Lisa West (Albert Scholar), Dominican University
  • LaMonica Wiggins, University of Pittsburgh
  • Stacie Williams, Simmons College
  • Haruko Yamauchi, Queens College (CUNY)

Established in 1997, the ALA committed resources for 50 annual scholarships of $5,000 a year for Spectrum's first four years. The Spectrum program continues to fund scholarships through the initial endowment and the generous contributions of individuals and organizations whose donations support named scholarships in the Spectrum Family of Funds. For 2010, scholarships have been awarded in honor of the following individuals: Leo Albert, Ron Clowney, Gregory Calloway, Louise Giles, William R. Gordon, Howard M. and Gladys B. Teeple and Dr. Betty J. Turock.

Ten of the 2010 Spectrum Scholarships have been funded by proceeds from the ALA/ProQuest Scholarship Bash. In addition to raising much-needed funds for scholarships, the ALA/ProQuest Scholarship Bash provides a fun event for librarians each year at the ALA Annual Conference.

The Medical Library Association/National Library of Medicine (MLA/NLM) supports two scholarships. The MLA/NLM Spectrum Scholarships support students of color with an interest in the field of medical or health sciences librarianship.

The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA) is supporting one 2010 REFORMA Spectrum Scholar interested in library services to Latinos and the Spanish speaking.

The Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) has announced its support of the Spectrum Presidential Initiative with a contribution of $6,500. This contribution allows ALA to support an additional Master’s-level 2010 Spectrum Scholarship.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announced that it would support one 2010 Spectrum Scholar interested in pursuing a career as a school librarian.

The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has announced a two-year commitment to the Spectrum Scholarship Program. One ACRL Spectrum Scholar interested in academic and research libraries will be designated in 2010 and in 2011.

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has established the ALSC Spectrum Scholarship through funding from the Frederic G. Melcher Endowment. One ALSC Spectrum Scholar interested in library service to children will be designated each year in perpetuity.

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has funded one 2010 YALSA Spectrum Scholar pursuing a career in young adult librarianship or secondary school librarianship.

The substantial increase in available scholarships is due both to the generosity of the individuals and organizations above and to a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Through the “Reach 21” grant, IMLS is supporting 45 scholarships in 2010. The IMLS is an independent federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities. To learn more about the Institute, please visit: http://www.imls.gov.

For more information on Spectrum and how you can contribute, please contact the Office for Diversity at 1 (800) 545-2433 ext. 5048 or visit www.ala.org/spectrum. The application period for 2011 Spectrum Scholarships will open in late October 2010.