A record number of 63 UCSD students have been accepted into the Gates Millennium Scholars program this year.
Sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the program was established in 1999 to help eliminate financial barriers for students from ethnically underrepresented groups.
Students who demonstrate high academic and leadership potential, as well as a commitment to community service, are nominated by principals, teachers, counselors, tribal higher-education representatives and other professional educators.
‘Gates Millennium Scholars represent some of the most outstanding and gifted students attending college today,’ Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Penny Rue said in a statement. ‘UC San Diego is honored to have such a large number of these uncommon scholars among us. Noted for their creativity and drive as well as their intelligence, Gates Scholars are sure to make a positive impact in the UC San Diego community.’
Eligibility for the GMS program is limited to blacks, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Latinos who are in the process of completing undergraduate studies in all discipline areas or graduate work in mathematics, science, engineering, education or library science.
Rue said the investment made by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will insure that these students have the support they need to thrive in college.
‘The commitment to diversity in higher education of the Gates Foundation matches the commitment to diversity within UC San Diego,’ she said.