If anything, the scholarship points to a kinder, more accepting campus. We hope it also signifies a more accepting America. During this election year, citizens of many states, including Michigan, will vote on adding gay marriage bans to their state constitutions. At times when gay rights are under attack - or at least up for a popular vote - it is good to see people, such as Johnson, strong enough to stand up against discrimination.

According to Val Meyers, president of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Student Association, the times have changed and more people are coming out while attending high school. This makes LBGT students more likely to come forward to receive the scholarship, she said.

In an ideal society, LBGT scholarships shouldn't have to make up for or combat a fundamental lack in human rights. If the Michigan Constitution were amended to ban gay marriage, rights will be taken away. We hope this won't happen.

As a student, you could take any social issue and expose it by creating a scholarship or educational campaign. When Johnson heard about the death of Sakia Gunn - a 15-year-old African American lesbian from New Jersey who was stabbed to death in 2003 - she took action and decided waiting wasn't an option.

It took Johnson nearly four months (since June) to get the scholarship going. She's still looking for more funds and donations, but with luck the scholarship could be given away by next year. If the award gets off the ground, it is one Johnson said she hopes would continue well after she graduates.

During the 2003-04 academic year, $43 million in scholarship money was distributed among students funded by MSU, the federal government, the state of Michigan and private donors. But what's lacking are scholarships based in effecting social change - most only deal with a lack in finances. The opportunities are out there.

Your theme or motive force doesn't even have to deal with LBGT issues. There are more opportunities like this out there than you think. It is not an impossible task. It could be the only person stopping your ambitions is you. Try swapping that defeatist attitude for social activism.

That being said, there will be some obstacles. People might take you less seriously as a student, but the naysayers can be ignored. Funding needs to be established, but once you find companies, individuals or other organizations with a stake in your issue you're good to go.

Johnson did it. What's stopping you?