Grant Funding
Through a committee of staff, administrators, and faculty, the Multicultural Resource Commons oversees two funds for students doing research and artistic projects in an area related to the history, experiences, or accomplishments of Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and/or Queer (LGBTQ+) people.
What is the Cemelli LGBTQ+ Research Grant?
This grant provides up to $750 to support a research project in an area related to the history, experiences, or accomplishments of Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and/or Queer (LGBTQ+) people. The award could be used for travel to research sites, conference expenses, acquisition of reference sources, etc. This project requires a Faculty Advisor for accountability and must be completed and presented during the summer, fall, winter, and/or spring term of the 2024-2025 academic year.
Who was Andy Cemelli?
In 1996, a fund was initiated honoring two Oberlin LGBTQ+ Lambda Alumni Association Steering Committee members and co-founders who were lost to complications from AIDS-related illnesses. The fund produces an annual financial award for a student to complete work related to the LGBTQ+ community.
This prize is named after Andrew Cemelli '85. Andrew enrolled with the intention of pursuing a biology major with an interest in voice. By the time he graduated, he had completely changed his focus and graduated with a BA in Theatre. Theatre was not his only interest at Oberlin; while here, Andy developed interests in photography, knitting, and dance. He was an active member of Keep Co-op and was perhaps most famous in his time here for his sparring with former President Starr. He was very active in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) issues, including the data project where he attempted to make a database with LGB interests so that students could seek each other out for support and discussion. After graduation, he started Concepts and Keystrokes (a computing company) with his mother, Ginger Cemelli. He continued to pursue his diverse interests, including pizza eating, scuba diving, and singing in the Pro Art Chorale in Paramus, NJ. He was very active in the Oberlin LGB alumni group that became the Lambda Alumni Association. He worked at Novell/WordPerfect until he was forced to leave on disability in November 1995. Andrew Cemelli died on February 5, 1996, of complications related to AIDS. He is remembered by his friends as being a very persuasive and proactive person. The Cemelli LGBTQ+ Research Grant and the work for which the prize is awarded stands as a testimony to Andrew, to his place in the Oberlin community, and to the place of all queer and trans students at Oberlin.
Presentation Requirement
The Cemelli LGBTQ+ Research Grant recipient will be required to present their research (written article, performance, presentation, etc.) by May 9, 2025. Failure to do so will result in the student losing their grant.
Financial Aid Notice
This prize is funded by the Cemelli-Robertson Lambda Educational Endowed Fund and therefore must be counted towards your financial aid package. If you have any questions about how this may affect your financial aid package, please contact the Financial Aid Office at financial.aid@oberlin.edu.
The application, in its completion, is due by midnight on Friday, March 15th. If you have any questions, please contact the Multicultural Resource Commons (MRC) at mrc@oberlin.edu.
What is the Robertson LGBTQ+ Arts Grant?
This grant provides up to $750 to support an art project in an area related to the history, experiences, or accomplishments of Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and/or Queer (LGBTQ+) people. The award could be used for travel to research sites, conference expenses, acquisition of materials, performance production, etc. This project requires a Faculty Advisor for accountability and must be completed and presented during the summer, fall, winter, and/or spring term of the 2024-2025 academic year.
Who was Norm Robertson?
In 1996, a fund was initiated honoring two Oberlin LGBTQ+ Lambda Alumni Association Steering Committee members and co-founders who were lost to complications from AIDS-related illnesses. The fund produces an annual financial award for a student to complete work related to the LGBTQ+ community.
This prize is named after Norm Robertson '81. Norm enrolled in Oberlin College in the fall of 1975, intending to be a pre-med major. By the time he graduated in 1981, like many Obies, he had a completely different outlook and graduated as a Religion major with a significant interest in the Conservatory. Although he had studied the violin seriously in high school, he never intended to become a professional violinist. Oberlin introduced him to Early Music for the first time. While a student, he participated in Collegium Musicum and studied baroque violin and viola. When he moved to Chicago after graduation, he was one of the first members of City Musik, a short-lived but distinguished baroque orchestra. His partner also participated and was a well-known keyboard instrumentalist and soloist. Along with City Musik, Robertson played with Jubal’s Lyre, Basically Bach, and Harwood Early Music Ensemble. Oberlin professors who knew Norm well remember him as a talented student and a gentle, generous person. While at college, Norm worked hard and managed to reconcile his sexuality with his deep-felt convictions as a Catholic. After graduation, he put his convictions into practice and worked for several years in a parish in Baton Rouge, LA, as director of Christian education. He was also quite proud of his position as Director of Consignments at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, one of the Mid-West’s finest art auctions. As a resident of Chicago, Norm was very active in the Chicago alumni group and received the Volunteer of the Year award. Norm Robertson died of complications related to AIDS on January 11, 1992. He was remembered by his friends in Fairchild Chapel in a historical performance concert entitled “Bach for AIDS.” The Robertson LGBTQ+ Arts Grant and the work for which the prize is awarded stands as a testimony to Norm, to his place in the Oberlin community, and to the place of all queer and trans students at Oberlin.
Presentation Requirement
The Robertson LGBTQ+ Arts Grant recipient will be required to present their art (written article, performance, presentation, etc.) by May 9, 2025. Failure to do so will result in the student losing their grant.
Financial Aid Notice
This prize is funded by the Cemelli-Robertson Lambda Educational Endowed Fund and therefore must be counted towards your financial aid package. If you have any questions about how this may affect your financial aid package, please contact the Financial Aid Office at financial.aid@oberlin.edu.
The application, in its completion, is due by midnight on Friday, March 15th. If you have any questions, please contact the Multicultural Resource Commons (MRC) at mrc@oberlin.edu.