School establishes its first LGBTQ scholarship
The University TOLEDO — of Toledo is raising money to establish its first scholarship designated for LGBTQ students.
The scholarship will honor Rane Arroyo, a former UT professor, writer, and poet who died in 2010, and Troy Anaya, Jr., a former UT student who died in 2016. Both were gay Latinos from working class backgrounds who faced financial hardship, racism, and homophobia throughout their lives.
UT officials hope to award the first scholarship to at least one LGBTQ-identified undergraduate student in 2018.
Glenn Sheldon, UT honors professor of humanities and Mr. Arroyo’s partner for 28 years, said the scholarship celebrates both Mr. Arroyo’s and Mr. Anaya’s courage to be open, and their pride in the LGBTQ community.
“I think it’s long overdue. I think it also sends a message that our new president, President [Sharon] Gaber, is very much promoting ... diversity and inclusion of all students,” he said. “I think we’re in an institutional climate that is very conducive to inclusion at this point, so it seemed like the right time.”
Mr. Arroyo was a distinguished university professor of English who taught creative writing and literature at UT from 1997 until he died. He authored 10 poetry books, six chapbooks of poetry, a collection of short stories, and a collection of plays. He won several writing awards, including the John Ciardi Poetry Prize, the Carl Sandburg Poetry Prize, and a Pushcart Prize.
Even with a successful career, he was still very student-centered, Mr. Sheldon said.
“He was very devoted to students, and particularly the students at the University of Toledo,” he said. “I think he would be quite honored to help the students in this area who are often not financially well off, and to bring students through the system and offer them a little bit of financial support and emotional support.”
Mr. Anaya was a proud and active member of Prism, formerly called Spectrum, which works to provide a safe and inviting community for LGBTQ students on UT’s campus by providing programming, outreach, and support. Prism also was key in creating the LGBTQA+ Initiatives Office at UT.
Sharon Barnes, associate professor and chair of the women’s and gender studies department, remembers Mr. Anaya as a “warm and funny” person who was not afraid to talk about race, class, and sexuality. She said the scholarship is a way to keep his memory alive.
“It’s a really wonderful way to remember two men who were really wonderful members of our community,” she said.
The University is hosting a poetry read-in at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Carlson Library in honor of Mr. Arroyo, to celebrate National LGBTQ History Month, and to raise money for the scholarship. Community members and professors will read poetry at the event.
It’s open to the public and free, but cash or check donations will go toward establishing the scholarship. Donations can also be made through the UT Foundation at give2ut.utoledo.edu.
Other LGBTQ History Month events at the university include:
■ A discussion on LGBTQ history through the decades at 6 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Thompson Student Union.
■ The Prism drag and talent show at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 in the student recreation center.
■ A screening of the documentary “How to Survive a Plague,” which looks at how two groups advocated for AIDS treatment, at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 in the union.