Michelle Diemer was one of the 2007 Reginald Simmons Memorial Award recipients. To learn about her experience, check out her blog.
Reginald (Reggie) Simmons '75, a thoughtful and respected scholar of political science and African
affairs, passed away in 2003 at age 50. Simmons devoted his career to improving the lives of the people
of Africa.
In his honor, former classmate Bob Iger has established the Reggie Simmons Memorial Award, which each
year will send two students to participate in a program with which Simmons worked for many years:
Operation Crossroads Africa (OCA). OCA is America's premier cross-cultural exchange program designed to
promote understanding of Africa and its culture.
The 2007 award recipients are Krystal Maughan ‘08, a Film, Photo, and Visual Arts major and Michelle Diemer ’08 an Organizational Communication, Learning, and Design major.
The 2008 program runs June 15-August 10 and has three components: three orientation days before departure, six work weeks on a development project in the host country, and one travel week in the host country.
Students who are majors in the Park School or in the Politics Department are eligible. Graduating seniors are not eligible.
To apply, submit three 500-word essays answering the following questions:
1) How would others describe you?
2) Tell us about a situation in which you were in an unfamiliar environment or culture. What kinds of
challenges did you confront and how did you respond to them?
3) What impressions come to mind when you hear the word Africa?
Deadline for applications is Monday, December 17, 2007. Submit
essays with a cover sheet that includes your name, address, phone, e-mail address, major and student ID
number. Please include a copy of your resume that lists your activities and volunteer service.
Applications can be delivered to Melissa Gattine in Park 378.
For more information on the OCA program, visit http://operationcrossroadsafrica.org/main.php
Please note: you do not need to fill out the application on the Operation Crossroads Africa website to apply for this scholarship; simply answer the essay questions above.
