U of M Awards Six Disability
Scholarships
By Bob San
On September 9, 2005,
six students received Robert and Gail Buuck Scholarships for Disability
Services at a reception at the University of Minnesota’s
Disabled Students Cultural Center.
After learning in a
newspaper article last fall that the University of Minnesota did
not have scholarships for students with disabilities, U of M Alumnus
Robert Buuck and his wife Gail gave the university’s
Office of Disability Services $100,000 to establish an endowed scholarship
fund. The purpose of the Buuck Family Fund is to provide access to
higher education, opportunities for enhancing or supporting learning,
and support for guidance or training in the development of self-advocacy
and leadership for students with disabilities at the University of
Minnesota.
”The Buucks’ donation was a very generous gift,” said
Bobbi Cordano, director of the university’s Office of Disability
Services. “As our endowment fund grows, we hope to use some
of this money for programming purposes, such as increasing opportunities
that enhance or support learning, and offering guidance or training
in leadership development and transition from college to work. There
are not very many disability offices at universities around the country
that have funds for students with disabilities. We are emerging as
one of the few that have such funds in the United States.”
The six Buuck Scholars are:
Jenna Aalund, a North Dakota resident, received her second scholarship
from the Buuck Family fund. A recipient of one of the first Buuck
scholarships awarded in 2004, Aaland plans on majoring in biomedical
engineering with the long-term goal of attending medical school.
Aaland said that medicine has been her passion since the age of
5. She is employed part-time, works as a medical volunteer serving
the needs of the underprivileged, and hopes to participate in cardiac
research work at the Mayo Clinic during the summer months.
Rachel Garaghty, also a 2004
Buuck recipient, was appointed the undergraduate representative to
the University Senate Committee on Disability Issues after her first
semester at the university. She is also a board member and secretary
of the Disabled Student Cultural Center. Garaghty is planning to
graduate with a degree in political science with an emphasis in international
policy. She then intends to attend law school and pursue a doctorate
degree.
John Lukanen, a junior at
the university, has recently completed his first year as the co-director
of the Disabled Student Cultural Center (DSCC). Under his leadership,
DSCC has dramatically increased membership and board size as well
as event participation. Recently, Lukanen spearheaded a new disability
awareness campaign, which will run through Spring 2006. He hopes
to attend law school and work in the corporate world.
Kaitlin Moore, a recent graduate
of White Bear Lake Area High School, has been described as a top
student who was very involved with her school and community. While
in high school, Moore was a member of the National Honor Society
and also participated in the Art Club, German Club, Math Team and
Mentorship Connection. For the past few months, she has been an intern
in a neuroscience research laboratory and intends to major in neuroscience.
Her career goal is to become a neurosurgeon.
Monica Myers, a sophomore,
is currently designing a Bachelor of Individualized Studies program
that will combine classes on public health, cultural studies and
the history of medicine. Her decision to merge these three areas
comes from a belief that throughout history every culture has contributed
great wisdom to healing and preventing disease. She is preparing
for a career in medicine and healing.
Shade Osifuye is completing
her sophomore year. She intends to enter the medical technology
program in the School of Medicine, with the eventual goal of becoming
a pathologist. Osifuye was inspired to enter the field of medicine
after witnessing the success of a doctor who has a similar disability.
