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Ian Kennedy and Michele Drayton, both former officials and rank and file members of Seattle’s International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 52, created the Kennedy Drayton Scholarship in Labor Studies in 2018 to advance their deeply held commitment to education and organized labor.

The award provides $2,500 a year in financial support (renewable for a second year for a total of $5,000) to undergraduate students with financial need who demonstrate commitment to the principles of justice, equality, and diversity. Special preference will be given to the following students:

  • Students who are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
  • Have overcome personal or educational obstacles to go to college
  • And/or have deep experience with diversity or diverse cultures

Students at any of the University of Washington's three campuses (Seattle, Tacoma, or Bothell) are eligible. Special preference will be given to applicants with a background and/or interest in waterfront-related industries or organized labor, but such background/interest is not necessary to receive the scholarship.

 

 

Deadline to Apply for 2024-2025 Academic Year

Extended to Monday, June 3, 2024 at 11:59PM

 

Who Should Apply

The scholarship is awarded yearly to incoming students at any of the University of Washington's three campuses (Seattle, Tacoma, or Bothell). In their applications, students must show commitment to the principles of justice, equality, and diversity and demonstrate financial need. Students with an interest in labor studies or a family background in labor and social justice are encouraged to apply. Special preference will be given to the following students:

  • Students who are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
  • Have overcome personal or educational obstacles to go to college
  • And/or have deep experience with diversity or diverse cultures

In addition, preference will be given to applicants with a background and/or interest in waterfront-related industries or organized labor, but such background/interest is not necessary to receive the scholarship.

Students must demonstrate financial need according to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify. Low-income, non-citizen students unable to file a FAFSA due to immigration status may instead complete the free Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). More information can be found at the UW Student Financial Aid website.

Those who do not meet FAFSA/WASFA requirement are highly encouraged to consider other scholarships offered by the Bridges Center.

If you have applied to the University of Washington but have not yet received notice from the Admissions Office, you are eligible for the scholarship. However, the award will be contingent on your admittance to the UW.

 

How to Apply

To apply, a student should verify that they have financial need according to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (or WASFA, if applicable) and prepare the following materials:

  1. Essay responses. Please prepare written answers to the following questions. We recommend compiling answers into a separate document before entering them into the online application. This will ensure your responses are saved on multiple platforms, as answers entered in the online application are not saved until they are submitted. 

  • Tell us about any labor, social justice, or racial justice issues that you are passionate about and why these issues matter to you. Please share your history of involvement with these issues, which may include but is not limited to personal experience, advocacy, or research. If relevant, highlight issues related to waterfront industries or organized labor. Please limit your response to 800 words or less.

  • How will funding from the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies support the goals you have during your time at the UW? How do you plan to engage with the labor movement during your studies here? How will the scholarship prepare you for what you want to accomplish upon completion of your degree? Again, if relevant, highlight issues relevant to waterfront industries or organized labor. Please limit your response to 400 words or less.

  1. A brief letter of support from a teacher or community member.

  2. A high school or college transcript (whichever is most recent). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

  3. Up to date contact information, including e-mail, mailing addresses, and phone number.

  4. Optional: Additional documents demonstrating your commitment to labor or Labor Studies, such as a resume or curriculum vitae, may also be submitted.

 

How to Submit Your Application

The online application has been extended for the Kennedy-Drayton Scholarship for incoming undergraduate students (including transfer students) enrolling at the UW. The application deadline for this award has been extended to Monday, June 3rd, at 11:59PM. Access the application by clicking on this link: 2024-2025 HARRY BRIDGES CENTER KENNEDY-DRAYTON SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION. 

Questions about the application or scholarship terms? Call (206) 543-7946 or e-mail hbcls@uw.edu.

 

Terms of the Kennedy Drayton Scholarship

  1. Scholarship recipients will receive $2,500 per year, renewable for a second year, while enrolled as students the University of Washington. The scholarship may be used for any required components of the cost of education at the University, including tuition, books, or materials. Renewal of funding will be contingent on meeting the terms outlined below.

  2. Students will integrate labor studies into their University of Washington education by seeking out labor-related classes during their first and second years. Students will receive advising and support from the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies in order to meet this requirement.

    • Undergraduate students will be required to take one of the two foundational classes of the Minor in Labor Studies (HISTCMP 249/POL S 249/SOC 266: Introduction to Labor Studies or HISTAA 353: Class, Labor, and American Capitalism) and consider pursuing a Minor in Labor Studies during their second year. Exceptions will be considered for students pursuing degrees without room within their requirements for Labor Studies classes.

  3. Students will become engaged with the labor movement either on campus or outside the campus. While the form of involvement is up to the student, the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies can advise and support student placements as needed.

    • Examples of on-campus student groups include, but are not limited to United Students Against Sweatshop (USAS) or MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán).

    • Students may also become involved off-campus in local, national, or international labor activism. This can include but is not limited to an internship with a local labor organization, which can be arranged by the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies.

  4. Students will participate in events organized by the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, including the Annual Awards Celebration in fall and the Labor Studies Social in winter. Dates and details of other events will be announced at the beginning of each quarter.

  5. Students will submit their transcripts to the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies at the end of their first and second academic years.

  6. Students will meet with the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies staff every quarter during the scholarship period to discuss their progress through the scholarship requirements.

  7. At the end of each scholarship year, students will provide a one page report on their activities related to labor activism and labor studies.

Previous Winners

2019: Dianna Laguan & Lilya Garzon-Boyd

2020: Magdalena Lombardi

2021: Angelica Perez

2022: Ahshah Kennedy