Western Courier

Issue date: 2/2/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Dustin Larkey Marin Dupuis, Associate Director of Western´s Centennial Honers College, and Patty Battles, Staff Secretary of Centennial Honors College, talk in their offices on the second floor of the Leslie F. Malpass Library.

Political Science Associate Professor and Associate Western's Centennial Honors College Director Martin Dupuis, has founded the Martin Dupuis Leadership Award Fund in order to give out these scholarships.

The money comes from the Mukti Fund, a fund that works on community projects to improve the quality of life. Mukti is a Sanskrit word meaning "liberation."

"(The fund) was developed in 1983 (to study) cultural and educational issues internationally," said Mike Divelyl, co-founder of the Mukti Fund.

Each year certain trustees of the fund are given money to help people in any way they want to. Dupuis chose to help Western.

"I was looking at what to do with this great privilege. Western has given me so much ... It's where I started," Dupuis said.

Dupuis, also a co-founder of the Mukti Fund, decided to give one scholarship to a junior who is a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender student. This individual will be chosen by the University Committee on Sexual Orientation and up to two students from Unity. The other scholarship will be given to an honors college sophomore who has been a leader in historically underrepresented communities. This individual will be chosen by the Honors College Council.

"(Dupuis) has always been very interested in his students," Dively said.

He added Dupuis wanted to give back to Western because he has learned so much here.

"This is a one-time grant, so the trustee has to choose wisely," Dively added.

The scholarships are each worth $1,750.

"The Mutki fund has endowment of $80,000 to $90,000 a year in grants ... so the funds will be available (for this scholarship) for a long time," Dively added.

Dupuis said he is very honored to help Western students, especially those in need of financial help.

"I think the best part about these scholarships is it recognizes student leadership and the value of being involved," Dupuis said.

He added the scholarship makes it easier for students to go to school and get good leadership skills.

Dupuis will be giving the money to Vice President of Advancement Larry Mortier.

Trustees of the Mutki Fund in the past have used the money to help other colleges and create international summer internships.

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