Miami University

Columbus native one of 15 nationwide to win UNCF-MERCK scholarship

04/28/1998

OXFORD, Ohio -- A Miami University student is one of only 15 students nationwide to receive the prestigious United Negro College Fund-Merck Science Initiative scholarship for 1998.

Asiya Abdur-Rashid, a junior majoring in microbiology, is a graduate of Centennial High School in Columbus.

Designed to recognize the achievements of African- American students in the sciences, the Merck award will pay for Abdur-Rashid's tuition, fees, room and board for the 1998-99 school year, up to $25,000. Scholarship money not used for expenses will be given to Miami's microbiology department for equipment, supplies or additional scholarships.

In addition, Abdur-Rashid will participate in two eight-week internships the summers of 1998 and 1999, working side by side researchers from the Merck Science Initiative in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She will be paid $5,000 for each internship.

Abdur-Rashid, who chose to attend Miami after a campus visit during high school, received one of the university's prestigious Harrison scholarships. She carries a 3.98/4.0 GPA and hopes to earn a doctorate in microbiology.

For additional information or a photo of Abdur-Rashid, contact Miami's news and public information office at (513) 529-7592.