Carlson School Scholarship in memory of George Floyd

On the one-year anniversary of his death, the Carlson School of Management announced the establishment of a scholarship in memory of George Perry Floyd Junior.

“This is an important step for our community,” said Carlson School Dean Sri Zaheer in a video message accompanying the announcement to school faculty, staff, students and alumni.

The scholarship will support incoming undergraduate students at the Carlson School, with preference given, to the maximum extent possible, to students who will enhance the diversity of the student body. An additional consideration will be given to Black or African American students if they are underrepresented in the Carlson School. Eligible students, including those with financial need and those who have been victims of police violence, will be considered for the scholarship. Students who are selected will receive $5,000 each year, renewable for four years. It is expected that the first recipient will be enrolled for the fall 2021 semester.

During the memorial service for George Floyd, universities nationwide were called upon to create scholarships in his honor to help create a more just and equitable world. In addition to this scholarship, the Carlson School has many efforts underway to answer this call more broadly.

In June 2020, Zaheer formed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Work Group that gathered input from internal and external stakeholders to inform a set of recommendations that will make the Carlson School a more welcoming and inclusive community. Implementation of these actions is underway by various school leaders and a standing Dean’s Committee on DEI.

“This work is a marathon, not a sprint,” said Zaheer. “And cannot be done alone. Each of us must step up. In doing so, together, we can ensure that ‘business as a force for good’ carries the same meaning for everyone associated with the Carlson School.”

This is the fourth University of Minnesota scholarship in memory of George Floyd.