Standing on Higher Ground

The Eychaner Foundation is proud to sponsor Standing on Higher Ground, a residency project hosted by the University of Northern Iowa's Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

In an effort to improve campus life for students, staff and faculty, the University of Northern Iowa is hosting a series of events in September and October called "Standing on Higher Ground: LGBT Dialogue & Reflection around Civility". The events include award-winning LGBT-themed movies, panel discussions and a lecture by Judy Shepard.

The Rainbow Reception
September 1, 7:00 - 9:00 pm 
The Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) Lobby, UNI
The Rainbow Reception is an event to welcome LGBT and ally students, faculty and staff back to campus. Join us for an evening of information sharing, networking, fellowship, and dessert.

Movie: The Laramie Project
September 13, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
University Book & Supply, Cedar Falls
Moisés Kaufman and members of New York's Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, Wyoming, after the murder of Matthew Shepard. This is a film version of the play they wrote based on more than 200 interviews they conducted in Laramie. It mixes real news reports with actors portraying friends, family, cops, killers, and other Laramie residents in their own words. It opened the 2002 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for four Emmys.

Lecture: Judy Shepard
September 16, 7:30 pm
GBPAC, UNI
Free for UNI students
In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21-year-old son Matthew to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Determined to prevent others from suffering their son’s fate, Judy and Dennis decided to turn their grief into action and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on Matthew’s legacy. In her continuing role as board president, she travels across the nation speaking to audiences about what they can do as individuals and communities to make this world a more accepting place for everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation. Speaking from a mother’s perspective, Judy also authored a 2009 memoir, “The Meaning of Matthew.”

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$190,000 in College Scholarships Awarded to Thirteen Iowa High School Seniors

23 May 2010

Thirteen scholarships totaling up to $190,000 will be presented to openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender high school students at the seventh annual Matthew Shepard Scholarship Awards Dinner, Friday, June 4, 2010, at 7:45 p.m. at the Hy-Vee Conference Center in West Des Moines (Reception begins at 5:30 PM, Dinner at 6:45 PM, Program at 7:45 PM).

Three Iowa high school graduates, Dane Buchholz of Waverly, Katie Grassi of Anamosa and Molly Richardson of Norwalk will receive Gold Matthew Shepard Scholarships worth approximately $35,000 each. Ten others, Zachary Bird of Dubuque, Jesse Clemen of New Vienna, Allyssa Driscoll of Clinton, Clarissa Herrick of Logan, Damon Jarecki of Waukee, Matthew McCarty of Carroll, Stormy O’Brink of Waterloo, David Pope of Clear Lake, Crystal Smith of Clinton and Lucas Strombeck of Davenport will receive Silver Matthew Shepard Scholarships worth up to $8,500 each.

Governor Chet Culver will headline the Awards Dinner. Chet Culver became Iowa's 40th Governor in January of 2007. Governor Culver honored his 2006 campaign promise in 2007 by signing into law Iowa's Safe Schools Law and the amended Iowa Civil Rights Act. In April 2009, Governor Culver supported the unanimous Supreme Court decision making Iowa the third state to allow same-sex marriage. This fall he seeks reelection to his second term as governor.

US Congressman Bruce Braley will present the keynote address. Bruce Braley and his wife Carolyn moved to Waterloo in 1983, where he practiced law for 23 years. First elected in November of 2006, Congressman Braley is now serving his second term representing the First District of Iowa in the US Congress. Congressman Braley lives in Waterloo with his wife Carolyn, who teaches at West High School in Waterloo where she is the Gay-Straight Alliance Advisor.

Brad Clark will be honored for his successful efforts working for LGBT equality in Iowa. Beginning as a half-time Project Coordinator for the GLBT Youth in Iowa Schools Task Force (Iowa Safe Schools) Brad also co-founded the Iowa Pride Network in 2003. As the Executive Director of Iowa Safe Schools. In 2007, he led a coalition of education leaders and civil rights advocates helping pass the statewide Safe Schools Law protecting all students, including those that are LGBT, from bullying and harassment. That led to a Civil Rights Law protecting Iowans from discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit, and public accommodation based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Brad next served as Outreach & Advocacy Director with the Matthew Shepard Foundation in Denver, Colorado before returning to Iowa to serve as Campaign Director for One Iowa where he worked to protect marriage equality for all Iowans. He has just been hired to lead similar efforts as Executive Director of One Colorado based in Denver.

The Matthew Shepard Scholarship is named in memory of Matthew Shepard. The Scholarship honors openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Iowa high school students who work to promote tolerance and non-discrimination in their schools and communities. Scholarship awards are based on academic aptitude, academic achievement, community service and financial need.

The Matthew Shepard Scholarship Awards Dinner is open to the press, and interviews with scholarship recipients may be scheduled by calling 515/262-0000.

2010 Howard and Mildred Eychaner Minority Scholarship Awarded to José Gabriel Arreola

19 May 2010

The Eychaner Foundation awarded the 2010 Howard and Mildred Eychaner Minority Scholarship today to José Gabriel Arreola, a student at De Kalb High School. José has been active in Spanish Club, as vice president of the Gay-Straight Alliance, and has maintained a 3.6 GPA during high school while taking honors and advanced placement classes.

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Brad Clark to be honored at Scholarship Awards Dinner

11 May 2010

Brad Clark will be honored at the 2010 Matthew Shepard Scholarship Awards Dinner on June 4, 2010. Brad started his career working on LGBT youth issues in Iowa.

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Congressman Bruce Braley to Keynote Scholarship Awards Dinner

07 May 2010

Congressman Bruce Braley will deliver the keynote address at the 2010 Matthew Shepard Scholarship Awards Dinner on June 4, 2010.

Congressman Braley is the Democratic Congressman for Iowa's first Congressional District. He was first elected in the 2006 election. The district lies in northeastern Iowa and includes Davenport, Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Dubuque and Clinton. Braley attended college at Iowa State University, and he earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa.

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