Students now have the funds to turn their ideas into a physical product. This is made possible because of the Richard Frank Grant.
The students who received the grant are Mary Buckley, psychology senior; David Garcia, psychology junior; Nicole Harris, psychology senior; Rebekah Locke, philosophy senior; Keegan McCauley, chemistry senior; and Sheridyn Miller, psychology senior. Students received money in amounts ranging from $25 to $2,811.
“A few years ago, through mandate of the student body by way of a student referendum, Loyola’s Board of Trustees approved a student fee increase so that SGA may have more money available to fund important programs like the Richard Frank Grant,” said John Magallanez, biology junior.
The amount available to be divided between recipients this year was $6,000.
The Richard Frank Grant is open and available to all undergraduate students at Loyola and is issued in the fall and spring. The Richard Frank Grant can be used to fund any major research project.
The Richard Frank Grant is also meant to encourage students to research and think critically.
The Richard Frank bylaws state that “Loyola University New Orleans Student Government Association supports the Ignatian value of the development of personal potential by the pursuit of excellence, critical thinking and learning from experience through the Richard Frank Grant. The purpose of the Richard Frank Grant is to promote scholarly research by students and to help students experience grant writing.”
Allocation of funds came after a six-hour meeting where the Academic Affairs Committee discussed applicants’ research topics.
Applicants were scored based on how well the specific questions were answered, how well-supported applications were with specific details and procedures, how well specific details and procedures reflect the overall purpose of the application, the applicant’s ability to convey their vision of the project to the committee through the written application and a reflection of Jesuit values.
When it came to giving out the funds, applicants listed items they would like to receive funding for.
This is so that “the amount granted to each student is not a sole reflection of their merit of work, but also of the funds requested and available,” Magallanez said.
Jasmine Barnes can be reached at
