THESTONEWALL

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

2005 Recipients

Daniella Lee Garcia, undergraduate recipient, is the founder of EMU Stonewall Democrats. To oppose Proposal 2 in 2004, Daniella worked with Coalition for a Fair Michigan, Triangle Foundation, and GLSEN. She is a member and leader of Project YES Players at EMU, the only group that traveled to the upper peninsula to promote awareness and education about the meaning of Proposal 2. The Project YES Players visit high schools to talk with students about what it is like to be out and openly gay in college, and to serve as mentors. Daniella is a Fellow for People for the American Way Foundation. This group educates college campuses about the issues that affect LGBT people and allies. She is forming a LGBT people of color group to bring visibility to violence against LGBT people of color.

Gregory Varnum, undergraduate recipient, organized a campus showing and discussion of the HBO Film, The Laramie Project, as a resident advisor in University Housing. Mr. Varnum proposed the Safe Haven program for University Housing, which is an ally training and support program for Housing staff. He is currently director of events for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center at Eastern Michigan University and organizes many campus events, including the campus film festivals Reel Queers, during both semester of the 2003-2004 academic year.