Liberal Studies to hold fundraiser April 7 for Meagan Smith scholarship

The Department of Liberal Studies and the Liberal Studies Leadership Team at Western Washington University are holding a scholarship fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at Aslan Brewery in Bellingham.

The scholarship is in memory of Meagan Elizabeth Smith (1993 - 2015), who worked with the team and department last year. An outstanding student, Smith was scheduled to graduate with departmental honors in December 2015, with a Humanities major, a concentration in Religion and Culture, and a German minor.  She had developed a particular interest in non-Western societies, and especially in Nepal, which inspired the senior thesis she was researching on “Making Sense of Fierce Deities in  Indian Religions.”  Meagan was a member of the first Liberal Studies Leadership Team, a musician, and an athlete, dedicated to serving the many communities of which she was a cherished part.  This is the first named scholarship in the more than 40-year history of the Liberal Studies Department, designed to recognize academic excellence in the humanities. A scholarship in the amount of $1000 will be awarded the 2016-17 academic year.

Aslan Brewing has pledged to donate a percentage of all drink sales made between 5 and 9 p.m. on Thursday to the Meagan Elizabeth Smith Memorial Scholarship for  Excellence in the Humanities.