1) Full-time undergraduate student enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts 2) Have a demonstrated history of community engagement, voluntarism, and/or family service working with traditionally underrepresented or underserved populations 3) Express future plans to become a mentor to, or to continue work with traditionally underrepresented or underserved populations 4) Be prepared, if necessary, to provide a personal statement articulating past/current work with traditionally underserved populations 5) Primary preference to in-state students whose ancestors immigrated from a Latin American country(ies) who have a desire to alleviate poverty and/or enhance access to education for underrepresented populations 6) Secondary preference to students demonstrating financial need as established by the Office of Student Financial Services at CSU (Scholarship must be renewed for up to five years if the recipient(s) reapplies and continues to meet all scholarship criteria)
History
Karen Barker graduated from Colorado State University in 1971 with her undergraduate degree in Speech and Theatre Arts. An engaged student with a helping heart and a capacity for leadership, Karen served as an ASCSU leader and formed meaningful associations with her professors, and especially, with Dr. Bob MacLaughlin, who encouraged Karen and helped make connections for her in the broadcast industry. After graduation, Karen parlayed her education into full-time work as a reporter at KCNC during the 1980s and 1990s, and served as the only full-time education reporter on Denver television.
Scot spent much of his career with organizations providing funding to assist medium and low-income populations secure affordable housing. His successful career culminated at General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), where he retired in 2006.
Never indolent, the Barkers keep a very busy volunteer schedule with a particular interest in reducing poverty among historically undeserved populations. "Friendship Bridge" stands prominent among their many volunteer engagements, and is an organization working to reduce poverty in Guatemalan women through microcredit and access to education. Embodied in this mission is the desire to serve the poor and historically marginalized populations, and it is that goal that caused the Barkers to leave a legacy at CSU.