7 granted new eBay scholarship, award for women pursuing technology studies

In effort to increase the participation of women in computing, IU computer science alumnus Neel Sundaresan has launched a new scholarship program.

Sundaresan, senior director of eBay Research Labs, has awarded $84,000 in scholarships and awards to seven female technology students at IU with the eBay Inspire Scholars program.

The 2012 winners are Michelle Glozman, Cecilia Gutknecht, Caprise Hausfeld, Jessica Hughes, Bonny Rattray, Julie Rogers and Morgyn Thompson.

In addition to a $5,000 scholarship for two years, each recipient will be assigned an upperclassman female sponsor and receive additional academic
support as needed.

The award also includes travel opportunities.

Next week, the women will travel to eBay headquarters for a kick-off celebration in their honor. Each winner will also be funded to attend the annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing national conference.

Maureen Biggers, associate dean of diversity and education at the School of Informatics and Computing, said the school is honored to be a part of the program.

“We are honored to be one of the two initial university members of the eBay Inspire program,” she said in a press release. “Providing opportunities for women and minorities is a top priority for us here, so we’re pleased to partner with eBay to encourage young people to pursue an education or career in a computing-
related field.”

— Michelle Sokol