FSD awards the Katie Evans Memorial Scholarship

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is honored to carry the legacy of Katie Evans through administering the Katie Evans Memorial Scholarship (KEMS). This scholarship enables college students, who otherwise may not be able to afford international field work, the opportunity to apply their skills alongisde our community partners in India, East Africa, and Latin America through our community development internship program.  It is with great pleasure that we announce the first recipients of FSD's Katie Evans Memorial Scholarship: Anna Thorn and Carey Mittermeier.

"We are so honored to support the legacy of the Katie Evans Memorial Scholarship," said FSD's Executive Director Mireille Cronin Mather. "We are thrilled to continue her life's work by providing this scholarship and advancing sustainable community health programs. I am excited to hear about the work of Anna Thorn and Carey Mittermeier - they are impressive scholars and our community partners will certainly put their skill sets to good use."

Carey Mittermeier will graduate in December 2013 with a Master’s Degree in Behavioral and Community Health Science from the University of Pittsburgh and will be interning this summer at Vikalp Sansthan in Udaipur, India. Vikalp Sansthan, a long-standing partner of FSD, works to organize and sensitize youth on issues related to  discrimination, gender, and violence against women. She will work with their staff to design a project that utilizes her public health training to further the Vikalp Sansthan mission. Mittermeier is very passionate about community development issues. “At times, the most we can offer to another human being is the gift of our best self: our perseverance, our empathy, and our compassion,” said Mittermeier. “Our reward is in better outcomes, visible improvements, and the humble voice of a mother thankful that her toddler’s death has been prevented.”

Anna Thorn is graduating this year with a Master’s Degree in Public Health from George Washington University. She will be starting her women’s health focused project with a community health partner organization in Jodhpur, Indiastarting fall 2013. When we spoke with Thorn, her excitement for the internship was palpable. “I am committed to and interested in development and health, and this [FSD] internship will be valuable personally and professionally,” said Thorn. “As well as enthusiasm, I would bring experience, knowledge, and dedication to this internship, and hope that I could be a versatile  intern in many sectors. Thank you very much for this opportunity.”

KATIE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION  Katie Evans embodied the spirit of community work and international development. Her family and friends established the Katie Memorial Foundation (KMF) in her honor in 2008. The Foundation supported outstanding work in international public health through scholarships to student leaders who were completing their Masters in Public Health degrees and showed passion for doing meaningful field work. In January 2013, the Foundation for Sustainable Development began awarding this scholarship on behalf of the Katie Memorial Foundation. John Evans, Executive Director of KMF, says: "I am thrilled that the Katie Evans Memorial Scholarship (KEMS) has found a new home with FSD, and to know that graduate student leaders in public health who embody Katie’s spirit, work, and values continue to be honored in her name. The decision to place KEMS in the able hands of FSD’s experienced leadership is a positive solution that allows the scholarship to grow in directions we could take it on our own. With so many former KMF directors and volunteers involved in KEMS as it continues, we remain connected to this good work."

CURRENT KEMS SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES   Graduate Public Health students who are passionate about community development and global health issues are encouraged to apply for the Katie Evans Memorial Scholarship. Fall scholarship application deadline now extended to July 1, 2013. To learn more, KEMS webpage.

DONATE Donate to the KEMS fund! You can also send a check to: FSD, 1000 Brannan St, Suite 207, San Francisco, CA 94103 (Please indicate the donation is for the KEMS fund)

TO LEARN MORE Anna Welton | International Programs Officer anna@fsdinternational.org | 415-283-4873