Rice’s CSWGS establishes Merfish Award

First award to be given to a student in May

SHERRY MERFISH

Rice University’s Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality (CSWGS) has established the Sherry Matusoff Merfish Award to recognize a student’s commitment to social justice or engaged research on an issue pertaining to women, gender or sexuality.

The award was endowed by Brett and Beth Merfish in honor of their mother, Sherry Matusoff Merfish, who serves on the CSWGS Advisory Board.

“This new award reflects Sherry Merfish’s longstanding feminist commitments, her deep interest in undergraduate students and the importance of connecting the classroom and the community,” said Elora Shehabuddin, CSWGS interim director. “We are very grateful to the Merfish family for their generous support. Engaged research and feminist social advocacy are founded on the insight that understanding injustice is a fundamentally collaborative and reciprocal project. The Merfish Award will support students who have demonstrated genuine interest in such causes.”

The inaugural award, which includes a stipend of $1,000, will be given during commencement week to a junior or senior at Rice. CSWGS has appointed a committee to review nominations for the award, which will be given annually. Nominations describing the student’s qualifications can be emailed to cswgs@rice.edu. The deadline for this year’s nominations is April 25.

For more information, contact Brian Riedel, CSWGS assistant director and lecturer, at riedelbs@rice.edu or visit http://cswgs.rice.edu.