Scholarship in honor of Alison Des Forges

A new scholarship for graduates of the Buffalo Public Schools interested in studying human rights - will be available at UB next year.

The late historian, human rights activist, and local resident Alison Des Forges is being honored - by the University at Buffalo - with a four-year scholarship in her name.

Des Forges earned a MacArthur Foundation Award in 1999 - for her land mark book on genocide in Rowanda - and was senior advisor to Human Rights Watch. She was flying home aboard Flight 3407 - when it crashed in Clarence Center in February 2009.  

Alison's husband UB Professor Roger Des Forges said their two children attended Bennett Park Montesouri and City Honors - where Alison volunteered for about 15-years.   And he said the new  four-year scholarship will favor students who have the greatest financial need. 

Helene Kramer Chair of the Des Forges Memorial Committee said Alison believed in city school children - and in their capacity to learn.    

The scholarship will be available starting in the fall of 2013.