ESAT Success
Abyssinian Academics * Roots & Heritage * Sights & Sounds of Ethiopian-America
ESAT recognizes the cultural dinner on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin for the greatest act of cultural representation.
In the spring of 2003, Amir Ibze challenged the Division of Housing and Dining Services to do something that had never been done before. He proposed for the annual International Food night to feature dishes from Africa.....in particular, ETHIOPIA!
With the support of fellow students on campus, Amir arranged for displays to showcase the culture and tradition of Ethiopia for all students on campus who entered the dining hall for an international meal. The following pictures show how the night went.
Amir Ibze
The Gates Millennium Scholars program, established in 1999, was initially funded by a 1 billion dollar grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority
The GMS Scholarship Award provides:
* Support for the cost of education by covering unmet need and self-help
* Renewable awards for Gates Scholars maintaining satisfactory academic progress
* Graduate School Funding for continuing Gates Scholars in the areas of education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and sciences
* Leadership Development programs with distinctive personal, academic and professional growth opportunities
The GMS program is more than just a scholarship. The GMS program offers Gates Scholars Academic Empowerment Services (ACE) to encourage academic excellence, mentoring services for academic and personal development, and an online resource center that provides internship, fellowship, and scholarship information.
ESAT recognizes Hewan Bogale for Academic Excellence by her selection to be a Gates Millennium Scholar!!!
Hewan was a former president of the Houston ESAT group, and continues to be a firm supporter and contributor to the organization.
For the judging criteria on community participation and leadership, Hewan presented her track record of involvement through ESAT and service through leadership in Houston for her application. Her selection as a Gates Millennium Scholar gives ESAT an additional satisfaction that our organization is recognized as a significant club for community participation.
While ESAT played a role in Hewan's selection, there is no substitute for the hard work and discipline that she put into her academic performance. ESAT salutes Hewan Bogale, a Gates Millennium Scholar.
At the time of this event, The University of Texas at Austin had over 50,000 students enrolled. With a conservative estimate of 10% of the students dining on campus on this evening, over 5,000 students had an experience with Ethiopian food and culture in one night. Amir brought it all together with the help of only 10 students and the support of the Division of Housing and Dining Services at the university.
Along with academic excellence and cultural awareness, ESAT recognizes the need to have fun, make friends, and bridge the gap between tradition and modern society.
With the face of Liya Kebede, here are some new ways that Ethiopia is seen in Texas.
Lil' Nate
Abby Lakew
4EPeople
Other Entertainers with Ethiopian Flavor
Burntface (The Profit) Wayna Mike E
