Volume 2/Number 1

1999

Alumni Association establishes merit-based scholarships

The University of Delaware Alumni Association has established a new, merit-based scholarship program that will give preference to children of UD alumni.

The Alumni Scholars program was initiated by the Alumni Association with a $300,000 gift to the University to establish a scholarship endowment fund. Additional contributions to the fund will be sought, with a goal of $1 million. Interest income from the endowment will be used for the undergraduate scholarships.

"With scholarships based on merit, our goal is to bring the best and the brightest to the University," says Thorpe Moeckel, AS '79, who chairs the Alumni Association Scholarship Committee. "Eventually, we hope to have applicants from across the country vying for this prestigious honor, as UD alumni clubs nationwide encourage their best students to apply."

Alumni can support the scholarship program by participating in the Campaign for Delaware, the UD capital campaign, which includes the Alumni Scholars endowment fund as one of its goals. The Alumni Association also hopes to establish named scholarships honoring individuals who contribute generously to the program.

"With support from UD alumni, we hope to establish one of highest-caliber scholarship programs in the nation," Moeckel says.

This spring, the program will name its first four Alumni Scholars. Both in-state and out-of-state recipients will earn half-tuition scholarships. As the endowment increases through contributions, the Alumni Association hopes to increase the number of scholarships and the amount awarded.

Alumni Association President Richard S. Mroz said he believes the Alumni Scholars program will help accomplish three important goals for the organization. "It encourages participation from alumni throughout the nation, raises visibility of the Alumni Association and allows us to increase our support for the University," he says. "We also expect it to bring some of the country's best students to Delaware."

Scholarship applications are available through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and the Office of Alumni and University Relations. For more information, call (302) 831-2341.