Point Foundation Creates Scholarship in Memory of Tyler Clementi

Announcement Highlights Need for Continued Support from Families, Communities & Government

LOS ANGELES, March 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Point Foundation (Point), the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students of merit, announced today the creation of a scholarship in memory of Rutgers University student, Tyler Clementi, whose life ended September 22, 2010, at age 18.  The tragic suicide sparked a nationwide discussion on gay bullying, suicide and homophobia, shedding light on a major issue facing the LGBT community.

The Tyler Clementi Point Scholarship was created with the cooperation of Clementi's parents, Joe and Jane, to honor his memory and further the efforts to end the bullying that many LGBT youth face within educational environments.  The organization has set aside funds for the scholarship, while allowing the public and current Point supporters to donate in Clementi's name online at www.pointfoundation.org or by calling 866-33-POINT (76468).

"Our son Tyler was a kind and gentle young man who enjoyed helping people," said Joe and Jane Clementi.  "This scholarship will help college students and it will raise awareness of young people who are subject to abuse through malicious bullying - and so it will help people in Tyler's memory.  We are happy to be supportive of Point Foundation and we thank them for establishing this scholarship."

Clementi, from Ridgewood, New Jersey, was a talented violinist, a member of the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra and concertmaster of the Bergen Youth Orchestra.

"While it's a privilege to memorialize the life of Tyler Clementi, it's unfortunate that it takes tragedies like this to bring to light what many in the LGBT community and our straight allies have known for a long time – that intolerance and violence inflicted upon our youth is rampant," stated Jorge Valencia, Point's Executive Director & CEO.  "This scholarship is our way of keeping Tyler's life at the forefront of this ongoing struggle for acceptance. We're hopeful that President Obama's upcoming Conference on Bullying Prevention will result in people working together to put an end to the violence inflicted upon the LGBT youth community."

A Point Scholarship covers tuition, books, supplies, room and board, transportation and living expenses, and is set up with the individual's college to meet the unique needs of the Point Scholar. Point Scholars receive far more than financial support. Point strives to equip Point Scholars with skills to ensure a lifetime of exceptional leadership. In addition they are constantly connected with a support network of professionals through Point's Mentoring Program, who are personally committed to the scholars' well-being and future success; more than a network, they are a chosen family of supportive individuals who understand and care.

All Point Scholars agree to maintain a high level of academic performance and give back to the LGBT community through the completion of an individual community service project. Each Point Scholar makes a personal investment in his or her own future by either working while studying or acquiring debt to help finance their education.

About Point Foundation

Point Foundation (Point) is the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students of merit. Point provides financial support, leadership training, mentoring and hope to LGBT individuals who are marginalized because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Point provides its scholars with the financial ability to attend the nation's foremost higher educational institutions and its donors and mentors with the rare satisfaction of directly investing their resources and time in future generations of leaders.  Since its inception in 2000, Point has helped over 160 individual scholars with over $5.3 million in direct financial support for their college education.

SOURCE Point Foundation