January 4, 2007: Volume 69, Number 1

Peace now: Student projects sought for global initiative

For Kathryn Wasserman Davis's 100^th birthday, she'd like world peace. And she's doing something about it.

The accomplished philanthropist is celebrating her centennial by committing $1 million to encourage college students to come up with imaginative, creative, scientific or entrepreneurial ways to promote peace across the globe.

Each of the winning 100 students will receive $10,000 to carry out his or her project.

"I want to use my 100th birthday to help young people launch some immediate initiatives - things that they can do during the summer of 2007 - that will bring new thinking to the prospects of peace in the world," says  Davis.

Davis is the mother of Shelby Davis, founder of the Davis World Scholars. This past fall, Union joined the Davis Scholars Program, which brought four first-year international students to campus to promote cross-culture learning.

The connection to Davis means Union undergraduates are eligible to participate in Davis' 100 Projects for Peace.

Proposals are open-ended, but they should be imaginative and innovative with a focus on internationalism and the promotion of peace.

"Faculty involvement is encouraged and proposals can be tied to faculty/student summer research," said Dean for Undergraduate Education Kimmo Rosenthal. 

Individual students or groups should prepare a written statement (not longer than two pages) outlining the expected outcomes and impact of their project. A one-page budget should also be included in the entry.

Proposals are due Monday, Jan. 15. All projects must be designed for completion next summer.

Students who need help with proposals should contact Director of Postgraduate Fellowships Margaret Tongue at tonguem@union.edu. Completed proposals should be submitted to Rosenthal's office, S&E 100. They will be reviewed by a committee consisting of Rosenthal, Tongue, Assistant Director of Admissions Kirin Liquori and Assistant Professor of Psychology Cheryl Dickter. Final decisions will be made in March.

For more information, go to www.KWD100projectsforpeace.org, or contact Rosenthal at rosenthalk@union.edu .

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