"In 1970, an endowment was established at the University of Pennsylvania in honor of Dr. William Fontaine, professor of philosophy for twenty-one years and the first African-American to become a fully affiliated professor at the University. From its inception, the endowment, known as the “Fontaine Fellowship” has been used to advance the University’s goals related to diversity. Originally restricted to U.S. students from groups “traditionally and historically underrepresented” in higher education — specifically African American, Native American, and Hispanic students – diversity is now more broadly defined to include economically disadvantaged and first-generation college students, and others from backgrounds underrepresented in a specific discipline or field. Fontaine funding is used by the schools, in combination with other resources, to recruit a diverse class of PhD students. Regardless of the source of a student’s funding, schools are encouraged to nominate their “underrepresented students” for membership in the Fontaine Society, which provides a supportive scholarly community. Today, the Fontaine Society is comprised of more than 230 PhD students in programs across Penn."
http://provost.upenn.edu/education/graduate/fontaine-society
This blog is maintained by student members who serve on the Fontaine Coordinating Committee (FCC) on a voluntary basis. The FCC organizes social events for Fontaine fellows and administers Fontaine travel and research grants throughout the academic year.
This blog serves to promote Fontaine events and announcements. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the Provost's Office or of the University.
