New York, NY (June 16, 2022) – Turkish Philanthropy Funds is proud to announce the 2022 Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award recipients Esin Hacıoğlu, Kardelen Çiçek, and Sıla Öztürk.
The Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award continues to be the only award earmarked for young women from Turkey to obtain graduate degrees in the field of Economics in the United States. It is given in the memory of Sena Eken Schieber, who was a trailblazer economist. “I am really pleased that these exceptionally bright, dedicated, and talented young Turkish women, Sıla Öztürk, Kardelen Çiçek, and Esin Hacıoğlu, are recipients of this year’s Sena Eken Schieber Scholarship Award for graduate study in economics in the United States. I have little doubt that they will use this opportunity to enhance their full intellectual and cultural potential and help make this troubled world a better place for us all in the future,” says Dr. George Schieber, Sena’s husband and a former World Bank Economist.
The Sena Eken Schieber has been a role model for many aspiring economists, and the award carries on her legacy through these impressive young women. “In an unprecedented time that presented students with many unique challenges, we’re so pleased to celebrate the 2022 Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award recipients. The young women who put in time and effort to apply to our scholarship program this year—despite everything going on—impressed us more than we can say! We are grateful for them and George Schieber, whose continued support enables TPF to support young female economists from Turkey but empowers us to spread hope more importantly. CONGRATULATIONS to this year’s scholarship recipients, Esin, Kardelen, and Sıla. We are very proud of you!” says Dr. Senay Ataselim-Yilmaz, TPF’s Executive Director.
Esin, who will begin her master’s at Columbia University this fall, is excited to follow in the footsteps of Sena Eken Schieber. She noted, “as someone who was introduced to Economics in the second year of college, I could have never imagined I would receive the prestigious Sena Eken Schieber scholarship to study Economics in the United States. I believe this scholarship raises awareness and encourages more women to study Economics. Sena Eken Schieber is a great role model for Turkish women. I am excited to be a future ambassador for the program while honoring Sena Eken Schieber. Without this scholarship, I would not be able to study at my dream university in the US. I cannot express my gratitude as this scholarship made my dream a reality.”
Sıla, who will study at Cornell University, is eager to start her career in economics and is humbled to be an award recipient. “In the face of today’s growing gender gap in the field of Economics, Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award provides invaluable support to the empowerment of aspiring female economists. I am deeply grateful to Turkish Philanthropy Funds and the award committee for enabling me to take this life-changing step. I hope to honor Sena Eken Schieber’s legacy by not only becoming a successful scholar but also inspiring the young women of Turkey to strive towards their ideals, as she did,” says Sıla.
Kardelen, who has been reelected, expresses her gratitude by noting how deeply appreciative she is that the Sena Eken Schieber Economics scholarship has enabled her to fulfill her dream of pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics. Kardelen thanks TPF and the Sena Eken Schieber Scholarship and notes, “young Turkish women can have impactful careers and have a promising position in society because of the Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award. It would have been impossible for me to study in the US at such prestigious universities without the support of this unique scholarship and the legacy of Sena Eken Schieber. Sena Eken Schieber has always been my role model and has inspired me to become an intellectual woman in every aspect. I will always be deeply thankful to Sena Eken Schieber and George Schieber for changing my life.”
Sena’s niece and selection committee member, Esra Krause, welcomed this year’s recipients, Esin, Kardelen, and Sıla, to the Sena Eken Scholarship with pleasure. “These brilliant women will no doubt make a difference in the world! Their passion and desire to succeed shined through their applications and interviews. Congratulations and best wishes in your new adventures,” notes Esra.
Sena Eken Schieber Scholarship selection committee member Dr. Seyhan Erden noted that all students struck her as brilliant. “They are an enthusiastic, pleasant, brilliant young woman, and it is hard not to be impressed. The most satisfying feeling in this process is that we can help these students go to their dream schools. That itself will give them great motivation. I wish all of them good luck at their “dream schools.”
The Sena Eken Schieber awardees continue providing opportunities to brilliant young female economists from Turkey and changing lives.
About The Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award and Sena Eken Schieber:
The Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award is supported by the Eken Schieber Scholarship Fund at Turkish Philanthropy Funds. The fund was established by Sena’s husband, George Schieber, to celebrate Sena Eken Schieber’s life and continue her legacy as a pioneering international civil servant, Turkish Government official, economist, and role model for many women. Sena was not only a highly competent, hard-working, and successful professional but also a wonderful wife, a caring and dedicated sister, aunt, family member, friend, and mentor. She was known as an inspirational leader who lived life to the fullest. The scholarship supports young women from Turkey from low-income families to pursue graduate degrees in economics in the United States. The Sena Eken Schieber Scholarship program was established in 2015 and, to date, has funded some ten very deserving young Turkish women for master’s degrees and Ph.Ds in accredited U.S. graduate economics programs, including the University of Chicago, Columbia, and Duke University.
About Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF)
Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) is the leading U.S. community foundation for high-impact social investments dedicated to Turkish and Turkish-American communities. TPF works with donors to create customized giving models and connects everyday philanthropists with nonprofits. Since 2007, we have become a connector between donors and partners working to bring us safe, strong, and vibrant communities, and have mobilized over $55M and invested over $26M in grants with partners.
For more information about the application process for the 2023 Award cycle or other philanthropic accounts at TPF, please visit here.
