VCU program receives $5,000 grant from Target Stores, Inc.

By Malorie Burkett

RICHMOND, Va. – Target Stores, Inc. presented Virginia Commonwealth University's Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) today with a $5,000 grant as part of the Target Stores Regional College Recruitment Grant Program.

The award will assist OMSA in planning VCU's 2004 Intercultural Festival, an annual student event held each spring that showcases the diversity, culture and traditions of VCU students. Funding for the Intercultural Festival, like many other events on campus, has traditionally come from student fees.

"This award will let students and others know that businesses are willing to support VCU student led diversity initiatives," said Dr. Napolean Peoples, VCU's director of multicultural student affairs. "It also will send a clear message that these efforts are important. Peoples said the award will allow the Intercultural Festival co-directors to develop a strong planning committee and explore creative marketing strategies that will result in a larger festival with more programs.

OMSA was first introduced to the grant last year when Target Stores contributed door prizes to the 2002 Intercultural Festival. Dawn Towe, regional campus recruiter for Target Stores, Inc. approached Peoples and encouraged him to apply for the grant, which would support VCU's 2003 Intercultural Festival. As a result, VCU was selected as a recipient.

"Each person I have had contact with at VCU has gone above and beyond expectations," said Towe. " The career center and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs have been extremely helpful to me as I work to build a strong recruiting team, and I also believe in the mission of the OMSA office to assist ethnic and culturally diverse students by providing supportive programs and services."

The award was presented by Isa Alvarez, Star Team lead and campus recruiter for Target Stores, Inc. Each year, Target Stores, Inc. awards $40,000 in grants for education to support groups, organizations and programs that contribute to education, art or family.

Founded in 1989, VCU'S OMSA provides supportive programs and services for a diverse array of students. OMSA's purpose is to assist ethnic and culturally diverse students through advocacy, advising, support, student retention, faculty and staff development on multicultural issues, and to promote an appreciation of diversity throughout the campus community. For more information, visit http://www.students.vcu.edu/omsa/.

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