|
|
|
|
April 6, 2009
MMC Students Named 2009 Jeannette K. Watson Fellows
 |
CONTACTS:
Marguerita Grecco, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Marymount Manhattan, (212) 517-0524 / mgrecco@mmm.edu
Frank Wolf, Director, Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship, (212) 655-0201 / fwolf@jkwatson.org
(New York, NY) Two Marymount Manhattan College students, Alex Kane ’11 and Julianne Willis ’12, have been awarded 2009 Jeannette K. Watson Fellowships. The three-year Fellowship program offers paid summer internships, mentoring, and enhanced educational opportunities to New York City undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional promise, outstanding leadership skills, and commitment to the common good.
Established by the Thomas J. Watson Foundation in 1999, the Fellowship operates on the principle that “talent is broadly distributed but only selectively developed.” Watson Fellows have their pick of coveted job placements (“work they can learn from”) over three consecutive summers in non-profit agencies, business organizations, and government service that give them a chance to grow and develop interpersonal skills and gain self-confidence in a variety of professional settings. In the third summer, Watson Fellows can apply for an international assignment through partnerships with the Institute of International Education, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Save the Children, and many other organizations.
A summer series of weekly seminars further enhances the learning experience by encouraging debate and interaction and also by providing an opportunity for Watson Fellows to share learning from their work experiences. Visits to cultural institutions like Shakespeare in the Park, the New York Botanical Garden, and the Museum of Natural History enable students to discover New York City’s free summer offerings. Every Watson Fellow receives a generous stipend as compensation and support for summer employment and continuing Fellowship obligations.
Ten colleges in all, including Marymount Manhattan College, compete annually for fifteen Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship openings; at least one college from each borough is included in the group of eligible colleges. Each school may nominate up to four candidates to the citywide selection panels. Campus representatives are responsible for spreading the word about the Fellowship and navigating students through the entire process. Only the most fiercely determined candidates complete the rigorous application process.
Alex Kane has interests in journalism, activism, and civil rights law, and he is currently studying political science, international studies, and sociology as a second year student. Kane is a member of the Indymedia U.S. editorial collective, as well as the web administrator of nyc.indymedia.org, and a reporter, writer, blogger, and volunteer for the Indypendent, a New York City-based newspaper. He has volunteered with Food Not Bombs, taught as a substitute teacher at Battery Park City Day Nursery, and worked in nursery care at Trinity Church on Wall Street. At Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose, New York, Mr. Kane was President of Students United for Cultural Awareness. Last summer, he traveled to Denver to report on protests surrounding the Democratic National Convention.
Julianne Willis is interested in studying political science and international studies at Marymount Manhattan in pursuit of a career as a human rights lawyer or women’s rights lawyer and advocate against domestic violence. Prior to enrolling at Marymount Manhattan this semester, Willis was a student at Kingsborough Community College, where she served as the Student World Assembly Chapter President and organized many campus-wide activities including a Campus Clean-Up, an Eyes Wide Open event, and a Women-for-Women International Used Book Sale. Ms. Willis also initiated and led a semester-long “Campaign Against Poverty,” and served as a student mentor for fellow students. Last summer, Ms. Willis attended the Long Island University Global College Summer Program in Costa Rica.
Previous Marymount Manhattan College recipients are (2000) Kasia Reterska, (2001) Melissa Rodriguez and Isabel Sinistore, (2002) Jessica Murray and Marilyn Ordonez, (2003) Cornel Bradford, (2004) Christopher Perre, (2006) Jamie-Lynn Argenta, and (2008) Jeffrey Lewis and Olivia Warren.
|
|
|
|
|
