Alejandro Castro Memorial Award supports UIC students with disabilities
In spring 2023, the UIC Richard J. Daley Library honored the following inaugural winners of the Alejandro Castro Memorial Fund award:
- Sydnee Overton (Psychology, Student Employee at Daley Library Access Services)
- Amy Bosko (Jane Addams College of Social Work, Disability Tech Assistant)
- Alexandra Cedillo (Biological Sciences, L@S GANAS [Latin@s Gaining Access to Networks for Advancement in Science] Research Fellow)
- Jada Young (Rehabilitation Sciences, Flames Women’s Volleyball Player)
The Alejandro Castro Memorial Fund was established in memory of respected long-time employee of the UIC University Library, Alejandro Castro (May 15, 1965 – June 26, 2021).
Castro, a U.S. Army veteran, was an engaged staff member who served on numerous UIC committees, including the Library Accessibility Committee and the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Through this service, he worked to break down barriers to inclusion and increase accessibility on campus. The Memorial Fund supports causes about which Castro was passionate, including diversity and student success–especially for students with disabilities.
“A lot of times students with disabilities face additional hardships, including financial hardship. Having a scholarship like this one relieves some of that financial burden,” stated awardee Amy Bosko. “This scholarship carries on a legacy. It’s rewarding to be able to say that I was able to carry on this legacy, and to tell Alejandro’s family that part of my graduation was in his honor.”
UIC undergraduate students with apparent or non-apparent disabilities can apply for the $2500 award to be used for school or living expenses to foster student success and degree completion.
The 2024 Alejandro Castro Memorial Fund award ceremony takes place on April 10 at 3pm at the Richard J. Daley Library. All members of the UIC community are invited to attend.
To donate to the fund, please visit: https://flamesfunded.uic.edu/?cfpage=/o/university-of-illinois-chicago/i/uic-crowdfunding/s/alejandro-castro
For more information, please contact Linda Naru at lnaru@uic.edu.
