Thanks to the generosity of our Giving Blueday donors, ASC raised $30K+ from 45 donors and in matching contributions through gifts from ASC Advisory Board Member David Heleniak, ASC Director Andries Coetzee, Gary Woodall, and anonymous donors.
These gifts will enable us to support twice as many students— assisting them to make progress toward their degree despite travel and research restrictions, and making sure that their U-M experience includes opportunities to learn about Africa.
We wish to share a few thank you messages from the students that this opportunity will touch:
Marisol Fila, Doctoral Student, Romance Languages:
I am deeply grateful for your support during these challenging times. With so much uncertainty around us, your financial help allowed me to complete a remote research work that I had pending for completing my third dissertation chapter, focused on the black press produced between Portugal and Angola in the first two decades of the twentieth century. Thank you so much once again. All my best wishes.
Tara Weinberg, Doctoral Student, History:
In 2020 when the pandemic hit, I was stuck in the UK, as I had been visiting the Centre for African Studies at the University of Cambridge. My UK visa was about to expire and flights home to South Africa were incredibly expensive. The "research-in-place" grant helped fund my 'repatriation' flight home to South Africa to reassess and continue my research. That grant was a life-saver last year!
Charles Katulamu, Doctoral Student, Sociology:
The New Normal, a year down could not be imagined without funding from ASC. I could not imagine my research and class activities running without printing services. There is nothing that strains like solely depending on your computer to do all the reading. The research in place summer funds from the African Studies Center turned my scholarship life into a whole new experience. I am overly appreciative of the courteous hearts and big giving hands of the blue day donors—you all bring joy to scholarship.
Joshua A. Kerobo, Doctoral Student, Ethnomusicology, School of Music, Theater, and Dance:
I want to sincerely thank those who contributed to the African Studies Center's (ASC) “research in place” award, which allowed me to maintain both my ethnomusicological and language studies while indoors in Michigan. To my dismay and the detriment of my research activities last summer, COVID-19 severely limited my movement. Originally a participant of the 2020 Fulbright-Hays Yoruba language study group abroad at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, the trip was postponed indefinitely. Funding from the ASC covered my living expenses while allowing me to continue my Yoruba language studies and to write on the late-20th century European reception of afrobeat.
Victor Rateng, Doctoral Student, Public Policy:
Last summer, I remotely interned with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Governance Lab (MIT GOV/LAB) for forty hours a week. My internship was unpaid and research-based. I needed support to have a fulfilling, focused summer, so I applied to the African Studies Center’s (ASC) “research in place” award competition. The funding support I received from the ASC enabled me to concentrate on my ten-week internship. I produced two research blog posts making recommendations on improving Kenyans’ access to cash transfers for Covid-19 responses and highlighted the extent of government and nonprofit support, and citizens’ realities that were published on the MIT Gov/Lab website.
Anonymous:
I had a difficult time last summer since I wasn't able to work and support my family because of COVID. However the funding from ASC was vital for helping my family thrive through the unusual summer. I am very much thankful for support from ASC and its donors. It really helped someone in need.
Simeneh Gebremariam, Doctoral Student, Anthropology:
Thank you so very much for providing such unexpected funding. Your support will not only help cover critical expenses, but also encourage me in advancing my writing and completing my program. I would like to assure I will be acknowledging ASC's financial support in my oral and written presentation of my dissertation. I'm also confident to be able to "pay it forward" in supporting future African students and ASC activities before too long.
Through the generosity of our community (including staff, students, faculty, alumni, and friends) we can support our students to achieve their learning goals and thrive at Michigan.
Anonymous
Current Student
Kwasi Ampene
Faculty & Staff
The ASC plays a critical role in connecting our teaching and research with the same on the vast continent of Africa for mutually beneficial relationship. Our donations, small and large, make it possible for the ASC to carry on its mission.
Barbara Anderson
Naomi Andre
Faculty & Staff
Kelly Askew
Faculty & Staff
Todd Austin & Valeria Bertaco
Faculty & Staff
Marlyse Baptista
Faculty & Staff
Grateful to be part of the UM community! Go Blue!
Anonymous
Alumni
Anonymous
Faculty & Staff
The ASC is doing awesome things at U-M and in Africa! So honored to be associated with it.
Malika Bibbs Elwin
Alumni
Daniel M Burns Jr
Faculty & Staff
From Dan and Smilka: keep up the great work!
Anthony Cece
Alumni, Faculty & Staff
Cheong-Hee Chang
Faculty & Staff
Lamia Chentouf
Parents
Anonymous
Alumni
Andries Coetzee
Faculty & Staff
Yolanda Covington-Ward
Alumni
So proud of the work that the ASC is doing!
Gaurav Desai
Faculty & Staff
Sybil Dinwiddie
Alumni
Mohamed Elkordy
Alumni
Miss you guys, keep the dream
Geoff Emberling
Faculty & Staff
Brandon Finn
Current Student,Faculty & Staff
Henrike Florusbosch
Faculty & Staff
Harold Foster
Alumni
Susan Gorman
Alumni
Steve Gray
Faculty & Staff
Happy for this opportunity to support this group and their important work.
David Heleniak
ASC Board Member
Anonymous
Alumni, Faculty & Staff
Joseph Kolars
Faculty & Staff
Thanks for your extraordinary good work!
Anthony Lightman
Parents
Kwame Marfo
Alumni, ASC Board Member
Go ASC! Go blue!
Loyd Mbabu
Faculty & Staff
Mark Michael
Alumni
Nyambura Mpesha
Faculty & Staff
Kari Muhammad
Alumni
Oluwatoyin Olanipekun
Anne Petersen
ASC Board Member
Derek Peterson
Faculty & Staff
Kemi Rotimi
Anonymous
Alumni
Joel Sebagala
Alumni
Michael Sudarkasa
Alumni, ASC Board Member
Michal Temkin Martinez
Suzanne Vieth
Alumni, Parents
