"This is a milestone for the program," SU official says
View full sizeJoie Lynn Hill, a member of the Onondaga Nation, speaks about her Syracuse University experience at a reception for graduating Native American students at the Sheraton Inn, after receiving her graduation stole. She is one of the first 35 recipients of the Haudenosaunee Promise Scholarship. Her stole has the Haudenosaunee flag on one side and the student's clan or the tree of peace on the other side.
Syracuse, NY -- When Joie Hill, of the Onondaga Nation, stands with her Syracuse University classmates Sunday at the Carrier Dome, she will be the first person in her family to graduate from college.
Hill, 22, credits her achievements to her own determination to succeed, the guidance of others and the Haudenosaunee Promise Scholarship. “The Promise Scholarship took the stress of having to find the money for school off of my shoulders,” Hill said. “I have 12 brothers and sisters and I’m the oldest. This scholarship tells us that we have the opportunity to go to college.”
Hill is one of four Native American students from the inaugural class of Haudenosaunee Promise Scholars who will be graduating this weekend. The other students are Lisa Parker, Brittany Jock and Shanelle Mohawk.
“This is a milestone for the program,” said Regina Jones, assistant director of SU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs.
The Haudenosaunee Scholarship was announced in 2006 by Chancellor Nancy Cantor as a way to strengthen the relationship between the Haudenosaunee nations and the university. The scholarship provides certified current citizens of any of the six Haudenosaunee nations financial assistance equal to the cost of tuition, on-campus room and board and mandatory SU fees in each year of study toward their first bachelor’s degree.
Cantor said she is proud of what the program has become. “We have created a substantial and reciprocal relationship with this scholarship,” Cantor said. “From what I’m told, there is now a real enthusiasm from Haudenosaunee students to come to college.”
Joie Lynn Hill, who will graduate Sunday from Syracuse University, holds her 5-month-old baby, Madilynn Boyd, at a reception for Haudenosaunee Promise Scholars earlier this month.
Jones, a member of the Oneida Nation and a resident of the Onondaga Nation, agrees that the scholarship has created a friendship between the university and the Haudenosaunee, which includes the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora nations.
“Not just at Onondaga but throughout the Haudenosaunee nations, the Native youth are now thinking, ‘Yes I can go to college.’ When before it wasn’t even on their radar,” Jones said. “The Promise Scholarship has told all of our people that they can go to college.”
Hill, 22, is a religion major with a minor in Native American studies. She plans to take a year off before going to law school. Hill, who has a 6-month-old daughter, Madilynn, said she values the support she received from Jones and the Native student program. “I don’t think any of us would have survived without (Jones),” Hill said. “She made the transition to life at Syracuse University easier. She was always there for support.”
Hill said she is very thankful for the Promise Scholarship and how much being part of the program has helped her. “It feels surreal to graduate,” Hill said. “I’m scared, nervous, sad and happy. I just have mixed emotions.”
The Promise Scholarship has doubled the amount of Native American students on campus. In 2005-2006, the year before the scholarship began, 77 Native American students attended SU. This school year, 148 attended, SU’s research office reported.
“We still need more Native presence on campus,” said Jones, who runs the Native Student Program. “We make up 0.8 percent of the population on campus and 0.8 is still not good enough, but we are making good strides.”
In July 2006, the Native Student Program was allocated space at 113 Euclid Ave. for a Native student lounge, classroom, office and kitchen.
Jones and Hill both credit Cantor for the success of the Haudenosaunee Promise Scholarship. “She’s made a lot of changes on campus,” Jones said . “I think she’s opened up doors for Native people and really spread the message that Haudenosaunee youth can go to college.”
Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@syracuse.com or at 470-2298.