The Program in International and Comparative Studies (PICS) received a generous gift from Wendy Sturm to the Arctic Internship Fellowship Fund, which supports students at the University of Michigan in pursuing independent, student-designed research projects in the Arctic Region through the Arctic Internship Fellowship program.
This donation from Ms. Sturm is given in memory of her family friend, Dr. David Scott, who in 2012 conceived of and provided the funding to create the program.
The Arctic Internship Fellowship supports independent, student-designed research projects in the Arctic region. Past interns have worked with—among other organizations—the Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska; the Labrador Institute; the Green Program, Iceland; and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Arctic and Northern Studies Program. Students from any major are encouraged to apply for the fellowship. Program participants come from diverse academic backgrounds, including anthropology, chemistry, neuroscience, political science, and more. Over the past 12 years, PICS has awarded fellowships to 47 students, totaling about $100,000.
"It is difficult to summarize who Dr. Scott was to me, given that he influenced both the trajectory and quality of my life," said Ms. Sturm, upon presentation of her gift. "He taught me culture, history, and the value of integrity. He showed me the power of thoughtfulness, generosity, and educated opinions. He did all these things with kindness and curiosity about who I would become. He did this not only for me but several people. This is, I believe, the genesis of his gift to this program."
Read the full story about Ms. Sturm's gift, as well as Dr. Scott's inspiration for establishing the program, and the experiences of the 2024 Arctic Internship Fellows, LSA students Anders Foltz and Chadwin Ng.
"Apart from the project I worked on, I also gained invaluable experience and knowledge about who Inuit people are. As a student studying cultural anthropology, the knowledge I gained aligns well with my academic career and interest in exploring other cultures," said Foltz. "Alaska was a place I had never before visited, and I am incredibly grateful to have learned about what it’s like to live there. I was able to have in-depth discussions each day with my coworkers about their lives and what it means to be Inuit. I learned about what issues are faced by Inuit communities at the local, national, and global scale. Most importantly, I was able to collaborate with ICC and bring a valuable perspective to the organization by assisting with a project that will benefit them in preparations for international negotiations."
Look to Michigan for the foundational knowledge and experience to ignite purposeful change.
LSA is the place where creative thinkers engage with a complex, diverse, and changing world. See how your support can make an impact on what’s next, for a better tomorrow. Learn more.
