2006 POINT SCHOLARS

Rick Betita

Columbia University

Engineering

Rick Betita was born and raised in the suburbs of San Francisco, California.  He came out to his friends and family during his sophomore and junior years of high school.  However, he soon came to realize that even in an area known for its acceptance of homosexuality, prejudice still existed.  He joined the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at his high school and eventually became co-president.  When a group of parents chartered a petition to stop the club’s activities on campus, he helped his GSA create a counter-petition and design T-shirts with the simple phrase “Love Is Love” that was sold to students and faculty showing support for the club. 

Rick now attends Columbia University in the city of New York, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth and Environmental Engineering with a minor in Economics.  He is also helping to organize Columbia’s Queer Awareness Month which will take place in October.  This summer, he is working as an undergraduate research assistant with The Earth Institute at Columbia University.  After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school in either Engineering or Economics.  He is continually striving for a better, more accepting, and more environmentally sustainable world.