High school seniors from Eden Prairie are invited to apply for a newly expanded set of Dr. Jean L. Harris Scholarships available from the Eden Prairie Community Foundation.
The Foundation is seeking applicants who have promoted human rights, fostered diversity, and possess an inclusive community spirit – which are attributes that Harris demonstrated.
The Harris Scholarship is named in honor of Dr. Jean Harris, Eden Prairie mayor from 1996 to 2001. Harris was Eden Prairie’s first female mayor and first Black mayor, and one of her many accomplishments while in office was community adoption of the Eden Prairie Manifesto, a statement of Eden Prairie’s dedication to upholding freedom, dignity, and security regardless of one’s religious affiliation, race, ethnic heritage, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, or economic status.
The Foundation has increased the number of scholarship recipients to four per year. Two scholarships of $1,000 each are reserved for seniors who plan to pursue post-secondary education at a four-year college or university, and the scholarship can be renewed for three years for a total award of $4,000. Two additional scholarships of $900 each are reserved for seniors who will attend a two-year community college, technical college, or trade school. They can be renewed for a second year for a total award of $1,800.
The program has been expanded thanks to a generous bequest by Basil and Mary Jane Wissner, who were supporters of Harris and the scholarship created in her name.
Student applicants are required to submit written essays or short videos explaining their volunteer work in and thoughts about human rights, diversity, and inclusion. The deadline for applications is March 28. The scholarship award will be presented at the Foundation’s annual “EP Gives” event on May 14.
Scholarship details are on the application, which is available on the Foundation website at epcommunityfoundation.org.
Or, contact Mark Weber at the Eden Prairie Community Foundation, at (952) 949-8499 or mweber@epcommunityfoundation.org.