The Derek J. Stanovsky Social Justice Fund
The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) at Appalachian State University is honored to carry forward the work of our colleague Dr. Derek J. Stanovsky by offering financial support to students engaged with issues of social justice through this scholarship program in his name.
Purpose
To provide financial support to undergraduate students who have demonstrated a strong interest in issues of social justice through their academic coursework and/or community activities. Funds may be used for costs related to research, community projects, holding or attending conferences, travel, internships, courses, trainings, or any other activities aimed at addressing issues of social justice.
For clarity and the purpose of administering these current funds, the term "social justice" shall refer to movements, institutions, and concepts which aim to bring about equity in the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges in our society and world, especially for currently or historically oppressed, exploited, or marginalized people. It affirms self-determination and bodily autonomy for all. Examples of social justice work include but are not limited to the promotion of equality on the basis of race and ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ+ identity, class, immigration status and disability.
Derek J. Stanovsky was a faculty member in Interdisciplinary Studies who promoted social justice through his classes, research, and everyday activism with students. The fund honors his legacy by supporting current and future students to continue this work. Any Appalachian State University student may apply. Administration of this fund is the responsibility of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in consultation with the Chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Give
Your contribution, of whatever amount, will help ensure that the fund will generate income so that future App State students, regardless of their program of study, will be able to draw on this source of support.
To give to the Derek J. Stanovsky Social Justice Fund, click here.
About Derek J. Stanovsky
Before his untimely death in 2017, Dr. Stanovsky taught at App State for more than twenty years, initially dividing his time between IDS, Watauga College, and the Department of Philosophy and Religion, having established his credentials as an ethicist and feminist philosopher with his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Texas.
Ultimately, the Department of IDS claimed Dr. Stanovsky fully, enabling our faculty and students alike to benefit from his astonishing intellectual curiosity and signature rigorous approach to topics and courses such as Freudian Dreams and Cultural Analysis, Marx's Capital, and Internet Studies. His work with students in Watauga College was particularly important to him over his many years of teaching in the program.
In addition to being an inventive and beloved classroom teacher, Dr. Stanovsky stood at the leading edge of scholarship and teaching on digital culture in the early 2000s, conducting research on Virtual Reality and directing the Internet Studies program. In 2001, Chancellor Francis Borkowski personally recognized Dr. Stanovsky’s innovative contributions to online teaching.
Dr. Stanovsky generously gave his time and expertise to his department and university communities, as Director of IDS, as the IDS Webmaster, as a member on Fulbright Committees, and as a contributor to the Watauga Residential College Mural Project.
We hope you will consider giving generously in support of future generations of students with an interest in social justice issues and in honor of Dr. Stanovsky. Our goal is to endow this scholarship by the end of the calendar year.
Your support today is greatly appreciated.