May 8, 2008
Providence, Rhode Island -
The Swearer Center for Public Service at Brown University and the Brown University Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the The Royce Fellowship for Sport and Society: Shae Fitzpatrick '10 (Basketball), Rachel Foodman '09 (Gymnastics), Katharine B. Glerum '10 (Rugby), Abigail L. Hein '10 (Field Hockey), Scott Warren '09 (marathon runner) and Henry Weintraub '09 (Water Polo).
The Fellowship recognizes Brown University undergraduates
who have a record of excellence in academics and sport, supporting these
student-athletes to embark on innovative research or applied projects,
exploring the intersection of sport and human rights within a particular
context.
Fellows' areas of research may include health, education,
conflict resolution, public policy, disability rights, race, gender or
ethnicity. The Fellowship supports
reflection and inquiry by inspiring fellows to connect their scholarly work
with that of their peers and designated faculty, staff and community
leaders. Faculty and Community
Advisors will work with the Fellows, including Eli Wolff, 00' Director of
Research and Advocacy for the Northeastern University Center for Sport and
Society
This initiative was established in 2007 through the
generosity of Charles Royce, a 1961 graduate of Brown University and parent of
two Brown graduates. Mr. Royce, president of Royce Funds, has served as a
University trustee since 1989 and is an active member of several university
committees, including director of the Sports Foundation.
"Sport can play a role in improving the lives of
individuals, not only individuals...but whole communities. I am convinced that
the time is right to build on that understanding, to encourage governments,
development agencies and communities to think how sport can be included more
systemically in the plans to help children, particularly those living in the
midst of poverty, disease and conflict." Kofi A. Annan, Secretary-General of
the United Nations.
2008 Royce Sport
and Society Fellows
Shae Fitzpatrick '10 Women's Basketball
Promoting Basketball as a Vehicle for Development and Change in Societies across the Globe
Shae will partner with the NBA and its "Basketball Without Borders" program to investigate the role and impact of professional athletes in effecting positive global change and advocating for children and their fundamental "right to play."
Rachel Foodman '09 Gymnastics
Physical Education in an Era of Reform
Rachel will perform interviews to research the obstacles facing elementary school physical education teachers in public, private, and charter schools of San Diego, analyzing and presenting her findings in a policy memo.
Katharine B. Glerum '10 Women's Rugby
Researching Play as a Socializing Force within Modernized and Non-Modernized Peru
Katie will intern for the Urban Youth Sports Program at the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University. She will then apply this experience in Peru, where she will observe children at play in both a modernized area (Lima) and a non-modernized area (Huancavelica), creating a case study of her research.
Abigail L. Hein '10 Field Hockey
OVAL: Olevolos Village Athletic League
Abby will organize and direct a soccer league for 250 children at the Olevolos Village Orphanage near Arusha, Tanzania. This project will provide both an opportunity for disadvantaged children to play, and a chance for Abby to observe and evaluate a cross-cultural organization's use of Western rights-based models of humanitarian aid.
Scott Warren '09 Individual Athlete - marathon
The Intersection of Baseball and Local Community Development in the Dominican Republic
Scott will investigate exchanges of Dominican baseball players to and from the American Major Leagues, in order to highlight the real-world economic impact of this exchange on the lives of everyday Dominicans. He will participate in an evaluation of the importance of education in a Dominican player's path to professional baseball, and examine the effectiveness of projects these players undertake to improve their communities in the Dominican Republic.
Henry Weintraub '09 Men's Water Polo
Gay Athletes in the Ivy League
Henry will interview gay male athletes, their coaches, and university administrators to determine the status of gay student-athletes in the Ivy League. Using interview data, he will craft policy recommendations for the Ivy Athletic Directors Association and the NCAA, suggesting ways to improve the experiences of gay collegiate athletes.