Lizzie Copulsky ’14 chose LMU as a transfer student because she liked the small class sizes and the tight-knit community. It wasn’t until she was pursuing her master’s degree at a large institution that Copulsky realized just how deep a commitment LMU faculty have for their students’ success. For Lizzie, it was Rachel Washburn, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology and director of the Health and Society Program who would encourage her career trajectory, and later, inspire a meaningful gift to LMU’s Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts in honor of her late mother.
“Dr. Washburn was a large influence in my decision to go into public health,” said Copulsky. “Although I did not know her well at the time, looking back, she committed a lot of her time and care into helping me pursue my career path, whether she was suggesting graduate schools, reviewing graduate entrance essays, or helping me consider employment paths after I completed my M.P.H. (master’s in public health),” she said.
When Copulsky’s mother, Ellen Barreto, fell ill, she and her father, Jonathan Copulsky started discussing a possible legacy gift in her name. Ellen had been a first-generation student who earned her undergraduate degree at Radcliffe College (now Harvard University) and MBA at Stanford University. Her thirst for knowledge and education was seemingly never quenched, as she earned several certificates throughout her life, most recently as a Pilates instructor. For the Copulsky family, the best way to honor Ellen was by establishing the Ellen Carol Barreto Fellowship in Health and Society, with a focus on supporting women, first-generation college students and/or those who have historically had less access to independent research opportunities.
“This is personal for our family, because of my experience at LMU, but also because of my mom’s background,” said Copulsky. “I’ve always been inspired by my mom’s tenacity to learn and explore, despite the disadvantages she faced at the time she pursued college and graduate school.”
The Ellen Barreto Fellowship has already been awarded to two outstanding students undertaking research projects in the recently established Health and Society Program. For Washburn, the scholarship amplifies the program.
“My hope is that the scholarship continues to attract students to the health and society minor,” said Washburn. “It’s important that we foster these types of high-impact learning opportunities for students so they can work closely with a faculty mentor and ultimately have a little bit of a leg up in whatever their next step is in their career. We are grateful and honored to further Ellen’s legacy through student-initiated research projects.”
In addition to the Copulsky family, more than 200 friends and family members have contributed to the fellowship in honor of Barreto.
“We felt our money would go further at LMU and would be less needed at a larger school like Harvard or Stanford,” said Jonathan Copulsky. “Also, the personal connection Lizzie has with Rachel gave us confidence that this would be a good investment, combined with the program’s focus on health and society and LMU’s significant first-generation population; all of this appealed to us and we knew this was the right place to honor Ellen.”
To support student success at LMU’s Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, visit here or contact Melissa Watkins, executive director of development, at 310.338.3795 or Melissa.Watkins@lmu.edu.
