Scholarship Purpose

Since 1991, the Jewel Hairston Bell Award has honored an outstanding student of color whose active engagement and participation on campus has furthered the cause of cultural and ethnic diversity at the University of Oregon.

Award Amount

Dependent on the number of applicants, awards can vary from $2,000 - $4,000. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Senior at the University of Oregon in the Fall of 2025 (based on total years at the UO, NOT total accumulated credits--"super seniors" may apply)
• Interested in contributing significantly to the improvement of your community, as demonstrated by campus engagement or community service and personal career goals
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher by time of application
• Dreamers are eligible

Deadline and How to Apply

Opens: January 31st, 2025

Deadline: April 1st, 2025 at 5pm 

To be eligible for review, your application must be fully completed. Please include your most recent unofficial UO transcript. All information is confidential. The awardee will be selected by a committee convened by the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence. 

Honoring Jewel Hairston Bell

Mrs. Jewel Hairston Bell was born in Pittsburg Pennsylvania in 1931. She earned a B.S. degree with honors from Carnegie Institute of Technology. She was a social worker and education specialist with the Bureau of Equal Opportunity of the Massachusetts Department of Education from 1977 to 1980. Afterwards, Jewel and her husband, Derrick Bell, moved to Oregon. Derrick Bell was the Dean of the University of Oregon School of Law, while Jewel served as the Director of the Council of Minority Education (CME) from 1983 to 1986. The CME was the precursor to the current Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence (CMAE) at the UO. Always active in community affairs, while in Eugene, Jewel served on the Board of Sponsors, the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, and the campus Interfaith Ministry. Jewel taught by example and by how she lived her life. Jewel passed away on August 4, 1990, in Cambridge Massachusetts and left a lasting presence on our UO campus.

Past Awardees

Annie, 2024 Awardee

"The past few years have been a full circle moment, from feeling alone to now being able to provide others the support that I needed."

Alex, 2024 Awardee

"As a minority on campus I find it especially important to find a community to uplift us in ways that hold cultural significance. This is imperative for our personal growth."

Angel, 2023 Awardee

"As the first Latinx Studies Ambassador, one of my goals was to host events where families of Latinx students are welcomed and celebrated."

Josephine, 2023 Awardee

"At UO, I have made it my personal mission to celebrate diversity, promote cross-cultural understanding, and combat prejudice and discrimination."