GIA Adds Scholarship Memorializing Former VP Operations

GIA Announces Tawfic Farah Memorial Scholarship

Institute also awards scholarships to 151 students in 29 countries

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has announced the Tawfic Farah Memorial Scholarship, which will be offered beginning June 15, 2014. The annual scholarship will award full tuition for an on-campus student to pursue their Graduate Gemologist (GG) diploma, including the required Diamond Grading, Colored Stone Grading and Gem Identification lab classes. The first scholarship will be for a student at GIA’s campus in Mumbai, and will rotate throughout GIA’s global campuses in subsequent years. The application period each year will run through Oct. 31 and is available on GIA’s website atgia.edu/scholarships.

Tawfic Farah, GIA’s former vice president of
International Operations.  Image © GIA

Tawfic Farah, GIA’s vice president of International Operations who passed away in May 2013, made a lasting and important contribution to the Institute’s mission by building strong relationships in Africa and the Middle East; working tirelessly to expand education and beneficiation efforts in Africa; and supporting the global expansion of GIA’s services. He served GIA and the global public for 10 years with a passion and drive bolstered by humor and compassion.

“Tawfic helped countless people, both students and members of the trade, by working to bring GIA’s education programs to communities involved in the gem and jewelry industry throughout the world. He helped build GIA’s relationships with governments and to create opportunities and choices where few had previously existed,” said Susan Jacques, GIA’s president and CEO. “In keeping with the vision Tawfic gifted to GIA, we honor him in a way that reflects his personal passion and continues the great contributions he made to the communities that are part of our industry. His always positive and effervescent presence will be greatly missed.”

In Jan. 2014 the Institute awarded its Fall 2013 scholarships to 151 students in 29 countries. The scholarships, totaling more than $500,000, align with GIA’s goals of providing quality education in gemology and jewelry to the trade and aspiring professionals. Supported by private donors and the GIA endowment fund, these scholarships supplement GIA’s wider scope of offerings. Recipients are eligible to participate in distance education eLearning courses and on-campus classes in Bangkok, Carlsbad, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New York and Taiwan; and at the GIA branch in Dubai. 

In 2013, GIA awarded nearly $600,000 in scholarships to 190 students throughout the world.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu.   

GIA Accepting Fall 2012 Scholarship Applications

GIA Accepting Fall 2012 Scholarship Applications

Richard T. Liddicoat scholarship winners announced

CARLSBAD, Calif. – March 1, 2012 – GIA (Gemological Institute of America) will accept scholarship applications for the remainder of 2012, downloadable on its website, beginning March 1 through April 30. Scholarship recipients are eligible to participate in laboratory classes in the U.S., a variety of eLearning courses worldwide and the Institute’s campuses in Hong Kong, London, the Middle East and Taiwan.  

A number of $1,500 awards for eLearning courses and $1,295 awards for U.S.-based lab classes are available. The scholarships, sponsored by private donors and the GIA endowment fund, supplement GIA’s wider scope of offerings. 

“As part of our mission to provide education in gems and jewelry, we believe it’s instrumental to make opportunities available to those that require a financial boost,” said Bev Hori, vice president and chief learning officer of GIA. “The Institute has educated more than 300,000 professionals worldwide, and we look forward to growing this number.” 

Richard T. Liddicoat 2012 Scholarship Winners

GIA recently announced the 2012 Richard T. Liddicoat (RTL) Scholarship recipients: Soha Javaherian of Madison, Wis., and Casey Sharpe of Los Angeles, Calif. The RTL Scholarship awards two full scholarships for the Graduate Gemologist program each year.

Javaherian, recipient of the on-campus scholarship, graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. His grandfather is an eighth generation jeweler in Tehran, Iran, and he plans to share in his long family history by using his GIA education to immerse himself in the industry.

Sharpe, recipient of the distance education scholarship, is a graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Currently working as a jewelry designer, Sharpe will continue in this role as she pursues her gemological education to enhance her gemstone knowledge.

The RTL Scholarship program was created by the GIA Alumni Association in 2003 to honor Liddicoat, the Institute’s former longtime president and chairman.

The second GIA scholarship application period is June 15 through Oct. 30. For more information, call (760) 603-4131 or emailscholarship@gia.edu.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu.  

Scholarship Opportunities at GIA

Scholarship Opportunities

for 2009-- Apply by Oct. 15

http://gia.edu

Oct. 15 is the deadline for prospective GIA students to apply for scholarships for the 2009 school year. No applications will be accepted after the deadline, so don't miss your chance to earn a world-class gemological education in the new year.

Students have four new scholarships to choose from this year, including the Golden Circle Steve Leibman Scholarship. Members of The Golden Circle Club of New York, an organization formed by returning WWII veterans as a social network for local jewelers, created the scholarship to honor the memory of fellow member Steve Leibman. The scholarship may be used toward a Distance Education Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) program.

"As lifelong members of the jewelry industry, [we] would like to ensure that future jewelers are equipped with all the tools that will continue to elevate the professionalism that exists in the industry today and in the future," says Todd Wolleman, former president of The Golden Circle Club. "[This GIA scholarship] commemorates our friend Steve Leibman, who was one of the nicest people to serve our industry. He had a heart of gold."

The R. Harder Gallery Scholarship, also available for the first time in 2009, is for Wisconsin residents interested in earning a G.G. diploma. The scholarship is funded by the Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company and administered by the Community Foundation for the Fox River Valley Region, based in Appleton, Wisconsin. It honors Ron Harder, former CEO of Jewelers Mutual Insurance, who retired in 2007 after 34 years with the company.

"My hope is that this scholarship can give someone the opportunity to work in a jewelry store, and at some time own one," says Harder, who has lived in the Fox River Valley area nearly all his life.

Also new for next year is the Absolute Brilliance Scholarship, which covers tuition for any On Campus or Distance Education Diamonds course.

"We want to support those hard working, retail sales people who are on the front line every day, and are the true backbone of the jewelry industry," says Dov Lisker of Absolute Brilliance, a supplier of special-order loose diamonds to national chains and independent retailers.

Lucien "Bud" Fluty, vice president of marketing and education for Absolute Brilliance agrees. "Education is our life blood, and we must continue to help educate those in the field."

Prospective students can also apply for the Butterfly of Peace Scholarship, established by Alan Bronstein through the sales of his book, Forever Brilliant. The recipient may use the funds for any On Campus or Distance Education course or program.

You can view a complete list of scholarships available for 2009, including new opportunities for international applicants, or download an application online. Information is also available through e-mail or by calling (800) 421-7250, ext. 4175.