2008 Woodie Awards
Scholarship recipient's award remains in question for members of alliance
By Jason B. Hogan
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: News
Originally published: 4/17/08 at 8:43 PM CSTLast update: 4/17/08 at 9:58 PM CST
Gilford Bradly Budrant was a student at this college until he died March 16, 2007, after a prolonged illness.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance created two $400 scholarships in honor of his memory through $898 in funds provided by Gay Pride San Antonio.
Members of the alliance, along with their adviser, Dr. Alice Johnson, set the guidelines for the students to adhere to each semester to receive the award: maintain a grade-point average of 2.0 or higher, make a presence at each meeting, miss no more than three consecutive meetings and preserve a good academic standing without probation.
William Brent Chandler, former GALA president and active member, said Brandon Schulle, an alliance member who received the scholarship this semester, had no right to the award in accordance with those prescribed guidelines.
Chandler does not deny that Schulle's essay may have been exceptional, but his GPA did not meet the required level to sustain an active status within the alliance.
Members feel the same, but were unwilling to publicly comment, he said.
"I am a Hitler when it comes to rules," Chandler said. "When you start breaking, bending or flexing them, you start to have membership issues with the members of the club."
Last fall, Chandler said Schulle's academic status was not up to standing. To be an active member of the alliance and receive educational benefits in the preceding semester, all of the guidelines have to be applicable.
Gil Castillo, associate director of student activities, said clubs on campus are required to send an informational packet on their prospective members at the beginning of the fall semester.
If there are no changes in the members of the organization, that information will remain current through the spring semester.
But, it is possible for a student to take a position as an associate member, Catillo said.
Dr. Alice Johnson, dean of learning resources and alliance student adviser, said, to the best of her knowledge, at the time Schulle received the scholarship, he met all the qualifications.
"Otherwise, he would not have been considered," Johnson said.
Johnson said the judge of the scholarship essays was Betty Lee Birdsall, basic skills academy coordinator.
"I had an outside source read and evaluate the applicants," Johnson said. "Being the adviser, it would have been seen as prejudice for me to judge."
Schulle could not be reached for comment on this story.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance created two $400 scholarships in honor of his memory through $898 in funds provided by Gay Pride San Antonio.
Members of the alliance, along with their adviser, Dr. Alice Johnson, set the guidelines for the students to adhere to each semester to receive the award: maintain a grade-point average of 2.0 or higher, make a presence at each meeting, miss no more than three consecutive meetings and preserve a good academic standing without probation.
William Brent Chandler, former GALA president and active member, said Brandon Schulle, an alliance member who received the scholarship this semester, had no right to the award in accordance with those prescribed guidelines.
Chandler does not deny that Schulle's essay may have been exceptional, but his GPA did not meet the required level to sustain an active status within the alliance.
Members feel the same, but were unwilling to publicly comment, he said.
"I am a Hitler when it comes to rules," Chandler said. "When you start breaking, bending or flexing them, you start to have membership issues with the members of the club."
Last fall, Chandler said Schulle's academic status was not up to standing. To be an active member of the alliance and receive educational benefits in the preceding semester, all of the guidelines have to be applicable.
Gil Castillo, associate director of student activities, said clubs on campus are required to send an informational packet on their prospective members at the beginning of the fall semester.
If there are no changes in the members of the organization, that information will remain current through the spring semester.
But, it is possible for a student to take a position as an associate member, Catillo said.
Dr. Alice Johnson, dean of learning resources and alliance student adviser, said, to the best of her knowledge, at the time Schulle received the scholarship, he met all the qualifications.
"Otherwise, he would not have been considered," Johnson said.
Johnson said the judge of the scholarship essays was Betty Lee Birdsall, basic skills academy coordinator.
"I had an outside source read and evaluate the applicants," Johnson said. "Being the adviser, it would have been seen as prejudice for me to judge."
Schulle could not be reached for comment on this story.
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