For the Reporter
A scholarship in the name of former state Sen. Claudia Kauffman will be awarded to a Native American student at the University of Washington on Saturday.
The Honorable Claudia Kauffman Scholarship will being given in recognition of Kauffman’s achievement in becoming the first Native American woman elected to the state Senate. She served the 47th Legislative District.
The recipient will be announced at the Bridging the Gap Breakfast, sponsored by the Multicultural Alumni Partnership, at 7:30 a.m. at the Hub Ballroom on the UW campus.
The scholarship is intended to encourage other Native Americans to follow Kauffman’s example of community service.
“This is an honor, and I am hopeful this will inspire native students to continue to seek higher education at every opportunity,” Kauffman said.
Kauffman, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho, has long been dedicated to native youth and education. She serves as chair of the Seattle Indian Services Commission and is vice chair of the Green River College Board of Trustees.
Kauffman’s life of volunteering was recognized in 2009 with the Washington Governor’s Award for Excellence. In 2013, Kauffman was given a Distinguished Community Service Award from the UW’s Multicultural Alumni Partnership.
