Assumption Awarded Diversity Grant

November, 2002—Assumption College received the first installment of a $200,000 grant from Fleet National Bank Trustee of the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation to support the College’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain students of color. The award was presented at a ceremony this week with representatives from Fleet National Bank and the College.

The Balfour grant will help launch the newly created Office of Multicultural Affairs. Mario J. Silva Rosa, director, will oversee the grant and will work closely with Undergraduate Admissions, other college departments and the campus ALANA (African-American, Latino/Hispanic, Asian, and Native-American) student group to achieve its goals of recruiting and supporting students of color. The Office of Multicultural Affairs and the College are committed to the enhancement of a campus that fosters the achievements of all students who are eager to increase their understanding of the diversity that is an intricate part of the society we live in. The mission of the Office is to create an environment that is accepting and supportive of members from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

“As we become a more diverse community, it is important to continue to make investments in developing programs that support and reflect our demographic landscape,” said James Paulhus, Regional President, Fleet Bank. “These grant monies are an important part of that mission.”

The grant proposal was originally submitted to create funds for scholarship, staffing, and programming. With the monies, the Office hopes to be able to enhance these aspects of the community. Mr. Silva Rosa said, “We are thrilled that Balfour has chosen us to continue the efforts we have already started in this area. This grant is especially significant because it represents yet another effort by the College to become more diverse across students, faculty, staff, and administration.”

Kerry Herlihy Sullivan, Director of the Foundation and Philanthropic Services at Fleet, was very impressed with Assumption’s commitment to diversity. In a letter dated November 6, 2002, she wrote, “ The Balfour Distribution Committee was pleased with the Colleges cohesive efforts to increase the recruitment and retention of ALANA students. We wish you much success with this endeavor.”

The Balfour Foundation’s mission since its founding in 1977 has been to aid academic programs for minority students and academic programs aimed at disadvantaged students.

Part of the grant stipulates that the award be paid out over four years, with the College then picking up the tab in the fifth year and beyond. This establishes Assumption’s commitment not only this year, but well into the future.