Margaret Boyd Scholars’ new cohort shapes way for empowered leadership

The Margaret Boyd Scholars Program, named after Ohio University’s first female graduate, is a program that cultivates curious scholars who pursue knowledge, champion equity, and engage in their community.

Margaret Boyd followed in her two older brothers’ footsteps by enrolling at OHIO in 1868. Boyd was the first woman to enter the University, and subsequently became the first woman to earn an OHIO degree in 1873.

Boyd’s pioneering spirit and perseverance is honored with this scholars program that empowers students to engage with women and other marginalized genders to become leaders and citizens at OHIO and beyond.  The Margaret Boyd Scholars Program selects 20 first-year OHIO students – from across all majors – for academic enrichment and leadership development throughout their undergraduate careers. Established in 2013, the program has reached 180 Bobcats, 80 of which are now proud OHIO graduates.

Boyd scholars provide a space to foster awareness in issues of social justice and gender equity through partnerships with committed faculty and staff, students, and community members. The program offers a network of peers to help students create lasting friendships and empower women and other marginalized genders to become leaders and citizens at OHIO and beyond.

“This program is filled with empowered, intelligent, diverse students, and I am honored to be a part of the story. I am excited to watch the growth of myself and my fellow scholars over the coming years,” said Margaret Boyd Scholar Sara Weller.

Becoming a Boyd scholar is an excellent stepping-stone for undergraduate students to begin their higher education experience.

“I am most excited about expanding on my leadership skills, giving back to my community, and learning about, while also celebrating, prominent women in history,” said Margaret Boyd Scholar Kylee Raye Pitts.

The Margaret Boyd Scholars Program is a collaboration between the Division of Student Affairs, the Division for Diversity and Inclusion, and the University College. Applications for the next cohort of scholars will open this summer. 

Meet this year’s cohort of Margaret Boyd Scholars.

Give to the program: https://www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/boyd-scholars/support-program Our margin of excellence depends on the private support of you – our alumni and friends. Whether your interests lie in supporting student internships and study abroad, visiting scholars, or physical spaces for the Margaret Boyd Scholars, there are many ways you can add your promise to this unique program. Your gift to The Margaret Boyd Scholars Program will support a number of exciting initiatives that will shape the future of our program – and in turn – the futures of our students.