Stirring the Fire Fellowship

Fellowship Recipient Announced

The IPJ is pleased to announce the inaugural recipient of the "Stirring the Fire" Fellowship, a $3,000 grant made to the University of San Diego (USD) by social documentary photographer Phil Borges. Throughout the 2011-2012 academic year, USD junior Emily Lohmeyer will be connecting her work with refugees in the San Diego community to a project in Kenya supporting a new educational program for girls.

Lohmeyer will be writing on the IPJ's blog about her experiences both in San Diego and Kenya to inform and inspire others interested in similar projects. “By sharing my research and project,” Lohmeyer says, “I can raise awareness about the importance of girls education within my own community.”

The fellowship is a gift of photographer Phil Borges, whose documentary photography was on display at the IPJ in Fall 2010. Borges was excited to offer a USD student the international exposure that would help him/her better understand the issues that girls and women face around the world and the importance of developing local solutions.

Selection Process

The fellowship recipient was selected through a contest based on submission of the best proposal. The selection committee included representatives of USD’s Center for Community Service-Learning, Center for Peace and Commerce, International Center, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice, Women’s Center and the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, along with Phil Borges.