Promoting Diversity

Promoting diversity

BY DANA BENSON
Rice News Staff

As Rice’s
first recipient of the James Byrd Memorial Scholarship,
junior Tyson Pillow intends to continue being an active
and visible leader on campus.

The biochemistry
major said that he thinks it’s important to be involved
in areas where minorities need more representation. In fact,
he counts involvement on campus as a significant way to
promote diversity.

“I think
the most important thing that I have done to be a cultural
bridge-builder is to get active and visible in my college
and in the university as a whole,” Pillow, a member
of Will Rice College, said. “Many times, minority students
feel isolated and discouraged from participating in college
and university life. Instead of being frustrated I have
tried to be as involved as possible in various areas of
college life where minorities need more representation,
especially giving tours and working for Rice EMS.”

As a James Byrd
scholar, Pillow said he will continue to offer minority
representation on campus by “doing what I have been
doing for the past two years, being involved.”

Pillow’s
campus activities include serving as treasurer of Will Rice
and of the Black Student Association and working as a campus
tour guide. He is a member of the National Society of Black
Engineers, the South Asian Society, the College Assistance
Peer Program and the Minorities Interest Committee. Pillow
serves as an organic chemistry grader and tutor and is a
member of the Rice Emergency Medical Service.

A native of
St. Louis, Pillow said he was completely surprised and honored
to be chosen for the James Byrd Memorial Scholarship. Created
in 1998, the full-tuition scholarship is based on financial
need and is awarded to students who have strong interest
in building bridges across racial and cultural divides,
and that interest should be reflected in their abilities
to build such bridges. One Byrd scholarship will be awarded
each year.

James Byrd was
the victim of a racially motivated crime in Jasper, Texas,
in 1998.

Of receiving
the James Byrd Memorial Scholarship, Pillow said, “I
am glad that I was chosen as the first of many people who
the university believes is carrying on the spirit of James
Byrd.”