Ex-president of U-M student body starts anti-bullying scholarship
Chris Armstrong, the former president of the Michigan Student Assembly and its first openly gay leader, is announcing that he's starting a scholarship fund for students who have been victimized by bullying.
The announcement was made Wednesday via a YouTube video.
Armstrong was president of the MSA at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor when former assistant attorney general Andrew Shirvell started to blog about him in 2010.
The blog - which attacked Armstrong for having a "radical homosexual agenda" gained national attention. Armstrong said at the time that the posts and subsequent uproar put a big strain on him and his friends and family.
“It’s hard not to say something,” Armstrong said in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper. “It’s important to understand that things get better, that you can reach out to your community, your friends.”
He later sought a restraining order against Shirvell, who was fired from his job and later sued an attorney who represented Armstrong.
Armstrong's scholarship will be celebrated on Friday at the 40th anniversary of U-M's Spectrum Center, the first support program in U.S. higher education for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students.
Comments
obviouscomment
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
So...just out of curiosity, how do you get this scholarship? Is it awarded to the person bullied the most? How do you measure the pain they suffer in comparison to the pain of others? Seriously, I'm just wondering.
Ron Granger
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
I am reminded of the Seinfeld episode where George is bullied by the kid who demands to get the scholarship George is responsible for awarding.
Born A2
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
Way to go Chris! The world needs more people like you
Jim Toy
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 3:19 p.m.
Thank you, Chris. You have endured much. You have given immeasurably.
xmo
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 2:14 p.m.
Who is providing the money for this scholarship fund for students? This is the real story not, the fact that he is starting a scholarship fund for students
johnnya2
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
Have you watched the video? The Armstrong family will be giving some, and I am sure others can donate. Who is giving the money is NOT the story at all.
David Briegel
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 2 p.m.
Congratulations Chris. Contributing to society in positive ways.
johnnya2
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
So I guess if the president of the United States, or the governor of the state or the CEO of a company does anything, they are just "winners of a popularity contest"? That IS what an election is. As for the frivolous lawsuit. I suggest you give us all your legal qualifications, since you seem to be giving LEGAL opinions here. Finally, even so, YOU are free to start a scholarship. In fact, ANY person can for any reason. Are scholarships now a bad thing?
David Briegel
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 2:56 p.m.
And when will you start the Andrew Shirvell Intolerance Scholarship?
Basic Bob
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.
He won a popularity contest and filed a frivolous lawsuit. Give him a prize.
Linda Diane Feldt
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
Chris Armstrong has gone through a terrible experience of being stalked and bullied foe being openly gay. In the video, he acknowledged the very positive support he received from the community and the University of Michigan, and now has taken positive action to support others. This is great news. This is clearly recorded as yet another video for the "It Gets Better" project, <a href="http://www.itgetsbetter.org/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.itgetsbetter.org/</a> and will be seen by other LGBT teens and college students who need that positive message. What a great way to give back and move on - through both the video and the scholarship fund.
antikvetch
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 12:58 p.m.
Ah, modern fame. Say hi to Snooki for me -
trespass
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 11:40 a.m.
What does it mean to "start a scholarship fund"? Is he contributing any money? Is this a fundraising campaign? How much money must he raise for the scholarship fund? Is this something real or is he just seeking publicity for himself or his cause? Is he pursuing a political career and this is part of it?
Jatra
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 4:37 p.m.
LOL, Your Kidding Right?!?
trespass
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 4:35 p.m.
In the video he is wearing a michigan shirt
Ruth
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 3:37 p.m.
There is no Michigan on his shirt. Whose shirt are you looking at?
trespass
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 11:46 a.m.
Is he shooting this video in a mirror or is there some symbolism to the backwards Michigan on his T-shirt?