Act Six: The End of an Era
The announcement of a national discontinuation of the Act Six Scholarship and Leadership initiative won’t deter George Fox’s commitment to pursuing a diverse community
For 17 years, George Fox’s commitment to becoming a more diverse community was exemplified in the Act Six Scholarship and Leadership program, an initiative that brought urban leaders to the university – many of them first-generation college students – to lead on campus and, upon graduation, return as “agents of change” in their home communities.
In fall 2024, we will welcome our final cohort of Act Six scholars as we transition to alternative programs to support our diversity efforts. The national Act Six organization we have contracted with to assist with recruitment and development of our scholars has announced that 2024 will be its final year to operate the program.
Current and incoming Act Six students will remain in the program and their scholarships will run for the full four years.
A New Approach
Our support of students from underrepresented communities will not dimish. Our Act Six Scholars have always been supported by incredibly generous donors and institutional funds. Our financial aid efforts will continue to support the existing Multicultural Leadership Scholarships for incoming freshmen and a new full-tuition Beacon Transfer Scholarship for up to 28 students at a time.
The university also plans to create a bridge program for 20 incoming freshmen -- a pre-enrollment program that helps Pell eligible and first-generation students by teaching them “how to college.” Additionally, George Fox will offer living and learning communities for students committed to reconciliation and diverse communities.
Act Six’s Success
When Act Six was launched at George Fox in 2007, fewer than 200 students of color made up the undergraduate student body. Today, more than 700 students of color are enrolled at the university, representing roughly one-third of our traditional undergraduate student population.
In short, the Act Six initiative was instrumental in cultivating a campus environment that reflects the diversity of the kingdom of God.
“While we bid farewell to Act Six, we embark on a new chapter filled with promise and opportunity,” George Fox President Robin Baker says. “Through the continued support of our donors and the implementation of new initiatives, we remain committed to making George Fox University a place where anyone can receive a Christ-centered education. Together, we celebrate the successes of Act Six and look forward to the continued growth and flourishing of our community.”