VCU, ARAMARK Educational Services announce multicultural scholarship program

By Malorie Burkett

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Business Services and ARAMARK Educational Services Inc. have teamed up to establish four $2,500 scholarships for undergraduate students.

VCU Dining Services and ARAMARK, along with VCU’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, have begun seeking applicants and will award the scholarships in spring 2005 to students who have demonstrated outstanding academic scholarship in the classroom and leadership in diversity efforts at VCU.

“This award reinforces the idea that diversity is everyone's business and that we can show diversity leadership while maintaining high academic standards,” said Napoleon Peoples, Ph.D., director of VCU’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.

The scholarship coincides with “Kaleidoscope: ARAMARK’s Commitment to Diversity,” which identifies resources to support the company’s strategy to retain, develop and recruit a diverse workforce.

“VCU’s Department of Business Services embraces the importance of diversity in all aspects of our business operations and programs,” said Diane Reynolds, director of VCU Business Services. “We are especially pleased to provide this scholarship opportunity to VCU students through our partnership with ARAMARK Educational Services Inc.”

All full-time VCU undergraduate students who will complete their degrees after Aug. 31, 2005, may apply for the scholarship. Applicants must have a 3.3 or higher grade point average. For more information, visit http://www.bsv.vcu.edu/.