Anne C. Boyle Scholarship-Advocating Equality and Compassion with Integrity

Anne Boyle (1942-2019) was a woman ahead of her time, a leader who dedicated her life to advocating for social justice, gender equality, consumers’ rights, immigrants, and dignity for all. She was one of the first women to lead the Nebraska Democratic Party and was a trailblazer for women’s participation at all levels of government. She did it all with graciousness and compassion. She “retired” to spend time with the large family she cherished, but never stopped working for the causes she believed in. Boldness, tenacity, ethics and integrity were her most-defining qualities: “You have to stand for what you believe in, even if it means you have to stand alone”?was her guiding principle.

The Anne C. Boyle Scholarship was established to honor the memory and life-long political and community engagement of Anne C. Boyle. The scholarship will support a UNO student and consist of $8,000 per academic year for a maximum of two years. Funding can only be applied to tuition, fees, and books.

Applicants for this scholarship must:

1. Demonstrate compelling evidence of sustained community/political engagement in the spirit of Anne C. Boyle’s legacy
2. Be of at least junior standing at UNO
3. Have a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.2
4. Be a full-time student (minimum of 12 credit-hours per semester)
5. Be a resident of Nebraska for tuition purposes
6. Be enrolled at UNO’s College of Arts and Sciences or College of Public Affairs & Community Service

Preference will be given to those who have combined academic success and advocacy.

Applicants must provide:

1. A well-written essay of between 400-500 words about the student’s own history of involvement in political or community organizations and dedicated to the kinds of causes Anne C. Boyle supported.
2. Two letters of recommendation from: a) head of a political or community organization which can attest to the depth and quality of the student’s community/political engagement; and b) faculty or staff member who can attest to the student’s academic record and pursuit of academic excellence, alongside community and political engagement.

Finalists may be called for an interview.