Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies

[Not strictly speaking a legal history fellowship, but we're posting this announcement from the Major League Baseball Players Association anyway.]

It is my honor to inform you about a scholarship program created by all Major League baseball players, through the Major League Baseball Players Trust, to honor the life of former MLBPA Executive Director, Michael Weiner. 

The “Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies,” seeks to recognize and support the efforts of graduate and/or law students dedicated to improving the lives of workers, by awarding up to five $10,000 scholarships annually.

Michael spent 25 years, nearly his entire professional career, with the MLBPA working in support of the Players – past, present and future.  Despite being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in August of 2012, Michael waged an inspiring battle against his disease as he continued to work on behalf of the Players right up to the time of his passing last November, at the age of 51.

I imagine there are several students enrolled in your program who share Michael’s passion for protecting workers’ rights, and, with that in mind, I encourage you to let your students know about this great opportunity.

To be eligible for an award, individuals must be graduate or law students enrolled in an accredited educational institution in the United States or Canada and must have a demonstrated interest in, and wish to make a career out of, working in the labor movement and on behalf of workers’ rights. To receive an award, eligible candidates must meet a combination of criteria identified below:
• A strong academic record
• Demonstrated commitment to the labor movement
• A strong recommendation from an academic or a labor/workers’ rights practitioner
• Strong written and oral communication skills
Preference will be given to those who can demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) scores or otherwise.

Scholarship applications are being accepted through Monday, November 10, 2014. Each student selected as a Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies recipient will receive a $10,000 scholarship. Up to five awards will be presented annually, and the first winners will be notified in January 2015.

For more information, please visit here. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to call the Players Trust at (212) 826-0809.  Thank you for your consideration and support.