An organization of UNM fraternities has secured a first-ever scholarship for its members.
The Masonic Charity Foundation donated a lump sum of $15,000 to UNM’s branch of the North American Interfraternity Council for an annual $750 scholarship. The first scholarship will be given in spring of 2011.
Michael Westervelt, UNM Interfraternity Council president, presented the petition for the donation to the Masonic Charity Foundation. Westervelt is also a member of the Masonic Grand Lodge.
Westervelt said the scholarship is a first for the North American Interfraternity Council.
“When I became president, I really wanted to create a scholarship fund for NIC fraternities, because there wasn’t one at the time,” he said. “We created a presentation and petitioned the idea to the Masonic Charity Foundation. The presentation included that the scholarship would provide opportunities for the UNM Greek community and even for the Masonic community.”
When asking the Masonic Charity Foundation for the scholarship, Westervelt said he touted the number of hours and money the Greek community donates to the UNM campus and the Albuquerque community.
The petition was accepted and given to the UNM Foundation, which will endow the scholarship, Westervelt said.
“It is now a permanent scholarship that will present $750 every year,” he said. “It is the first-ever scholarship of its type on campus and in New Mexico. The scholarship is a good opportunity to get extra help. With the scholarship we can help outstanding Greek men to continue (their studies) and have a little bit of a breather.”
The specific criteria for awarding the scholarship has not been decided, Westervelt said, but each applicant must meet a certain GPA requirement and be an outstanding fraternity member.
Westervelt said the scholarship will encourage more fraternity members to join the Masonic Grand Lodge, because the two organizations are based on similar values and an appreciation for ritual.
“The scholarship will also allow Freemasons to get great fraternity leaders to join their group,” Westervelt said. “The one thing that really connects Freemasons and fraternity members is ritual. Every fraternity stands from a Masonic ritual. It is important to understand that when a man pays to be part of a fraternity, they are paying for the experience. They are investing in Greek life. One outstanding Greek man can be one outstanding Freemason.”
Erik Argo, a member of Phi Gamma Delta, which is part of the Interfraternity Council, said the scholarship will improve the community outreach and volunteerism of fraternity members.
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“The scholarship has the potential to help deserving individuals for many years,” he said. “It will give financial aid to the most qualified of men. It will also create competition and elevate everyone’s conduct.”
Argo said that GPA should not be the main qualification for the scholarship, because every student on campus and in the fraternities tries to get good grades. Instead, service should be more important for applicants, he said.
Westervelt said the NIC has two awards already for fraternity members, but they don’t offer monetary incentives like the award from the Masonic Grand Lodge.
“We currently have an ‘Outstanding Senior’ and ‘Greek Man of the Year’ award, but with no cash backing,” he said. “This new scholarship will allow us to focus on individuals who affect the Greek community at large. We’ll be able to focus on someone who has done the most, and has taken the time to do great things. It is rewarding to be able to give the award to someone who really deserves it.”
