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John W. (Jack) Hess, GSA Foundation President
On To the Future Program—Success in Vancouver
GSA 2014 OTF scholars. • 23 GSA members were paired with OTF participants in one-on-
one mentor relationships; and
It is a pleasure to share an update on the On To the Future
Program (OTF), which recently convened for a second • OTF partnered with the International Association of
time at the 2014 GSA Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Geoscience Diversity (IAGD) to support eight students with
British Columbia, Canada. Launched during GSA’s 125th physical disabilities among the OTF cohort.
Anniversary year, OTF seeks to bring 125 students from
diverse backgrounds to attend their first GSA Annual Meeting. As OTF begins its third year, its grassroots spirit remains an
The program has already helped more than 245 students from important part of the recruitment, mentoring, and funding of the
diverse and underrepresented backgrounds experience the energy, program going forward. Of course, financial and human resources
science, and collegiality of the annual meeting. Consider the are also an essential part of establishing and sustaining a successful
difference in several key metrics achieved in one year: program. A generous three-year pledge from GSA member Paula
Gural and her husband Jeffrey, in combination with continued
• Intensified marketing resulted in a 38% increase in completed support from members and partners, will enable the program to
applications; build on its early successes. The Society has also committed signifi-
cant strategic, term-limited funding to hire a full-time diversity
• First-generation college students comprised 50% of the 2014
OTF cohort;
2014 OTF Funding Sources 2014 OTF Ethnicity
GSA TODAY | FEBRUARY 2015 Members/Donors White
Silent Auction
Corporations Hispanic/Latino
Sections/Divisions/
Associated Societies Asian
GSA Strategic Funds
Black/African American
26 American Indian/
Native American
Other
Pacific Islander
Multi-Racial
