University of Utah Creates George Floyd Memorial Fund

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – As protests continued in Salt Lake City and around the country, and congressional hearings began on Wednesday into the death of George Floyd, University of Utah President Ruth Watkins announced a new fund in Floyd’s name.

The George Floyd Memorial Fund in the Black Cultural Center will, “directly support students and programs committed to advancing the interests of the next generation of aspiring Black leaders,” according to a university news release.

It will benefit the Black Student Union, the Black Graduate Student Association and the university’s chapter of the National Society for Black Engineers.

“This is a moment that calls for action and great compassion to address the systemic racism and oppression brought to the forefront by Black Lives Matter and others,” Watkins said. “The University of Utah has an opportunity and a responsibility to be a place of hope and change. While we have made some positive progress on our campus in recent years, we have not done enough—and that is especially important when it comes to supporting our Black students, staff and faculty.” 

Watkins established the fund as a response to Scott Hagan, president of North Central University in Minneapolis. Hagan spoke at a memorial service for Floyd on June 4^th and asked every college and university in the country to set up a scholarship in Floyd’s name.

Floyd died in the custody of Minneapolis police last month.

Watkins said, “This fund is among new and specific actions and strategies we are developing to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion is a primary focus at the U.”

“Our work to create a compassionate, equitable and just society for all continues”, Watkins added.

Donations can be made online.