University of Colorado Gets $1 Million for Scholarships to Increase Diversity
BOULDER, Colo.
Buoyed by a $1 million donation from a philanthropic group, the University of Colorado last week said it plans to establish a $7.5 million scholarship endowment to boost diversity.
The endowment, started with a donation from the Pioneer Fund of Denver, will go to boost scholarships in the school’s Pre-Collegiate Development Program, which prepares middle school and high school students from traditionally underrepresented groups for college.
“We believe the lack of need-based aid is a key impediment for these fine students in pursuing their education at the university,” Interim President Hank Brown said in a statement. “Increasing diversity is a high priority for us and if we are going to be successful, we need to raise our own funds.”
Minority students make up fewer than 15 percent of CU’s more than 29,000 students. Six percent of students this fall were listed as Hispanic or Latino, 6 percent were Asian, fewer than 2 percent — 457 — were Black, and just 226 were American Indian.
Overall, 19 percent of Colorado’s residents say they’re are Hispanic or Latino, while Blacks make up 4 percent, according to the 2004 American Community Survey.
