Whites-Only Scholarship Recipient Donates Award to Charity

Whites-Only Scholarship Recipient Donates Award to Charity

BRISTOL, R.I.
The Roger Williams University student who received a Whites-only scholarship last month said he will turn the money over to charity, after backlash directed at him and his college.
Adam Noska, 20, of Weymouth, Mass., announced last month that he would donate the $250 scholarship from the College Republicans student group to a fund benefiting The Station nightclub fire survivors and victims’ families. He also pledged to raise an additional $750 for the fund.
Last year’s blaze at the West Warwick nightclub killed 100 people and injured some 200 others.
“I’m just trying to do something good here,” said Noska, who made his announcement on the one-year anniversary of the fire.
Earlier last month, Noska accepted the cash award, which the College Republicans said was designed to protest affirmative action. When he was named the winner, Noska said he didn’t necessarily agree with the aim of the College Republicans, but accepted the scholarship because he needed the money for his education.
Noska said he had expected some would be upset about the scholarship, but had not anticipated the reaction he received.
“What I was not prepared for was the overwhelming number of people who told me that I had disappointed them or that they expected more out of me,” he said. “Is $250 worth forsaking the good name of Roger Williams University?”
When Noska accepted the scholarship in a lecture hall, about two dozen of his classmates stood with their backs turned in silent protest.
“I think it’s the right decision to use the money for something positive,” said Alex Guarino, a 20-year-old junior and treasurer of the university’s Multicultural Student Union.
Noska said he told the College Republicans about his decision, and they supported it.  
—  Associated Press

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