Vol. 19, No. 23

March 9, 2000

Starr Foundation gift opens
doors abroad for students

Provost Mel Schiavelli announced today that UD has received a $300,000 grant from the Starr Foundation to provide study-abroad scholarships to talented students who might not otherwise be able to afford an overseas experience. The grant is the largest gift of its kind in the 77-year history of UD’s study-abroad program. The gift from the Starr Foundation comes as part of the five-year, $225 million Campaign for Delaware fundraising effort. The foundation, based in New York, funds grants in higher education and typically supports programs in the areas of culture, health, welfare and the social sciences. “I am delighted that this gift will make it possible for the University’s most promising students to take part in our study- abroad experience. The University has long had a goal of making study abroad an integral part of every undergraduate education, and this gift brings us closer to that goal by providing financial assistance to talented students who are in financial need,” Schiavelli said. Starr Scholarships will fund the study-abroad program fee for approximately 20 to 30 UD students per year over the next four years. The program fee covers such items as group travel, excursions, housing and some meals, varying by individual program and session. Starr Scholarship recipients will pay only for tuition, registration fees and books to participate in the UD study abroad experience of their choice. Students will be chosen through a nomination process. To initiate the nomination process, faculty and professional staff members have been asked to help identify talented students (recommended minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA) who might benefit from, but not be able to afford, a study-abroad experience. Before submitting a nomination, faculty and staff should talk to the nominee, review the student’s GPA and confirm his or her serious interest in studying abroad in the coming year. Nominators should work with the student to choose the study-abroad program best able to enhance the student’s academic development. Nominations should be submitted to the Office of Overseas Studies, which will contact the students and guide them through the application process. A complete application will consist of a nomination, two letters of recommendation, an essay and several short answer questions, including a declaration of financial need. All application materials, to be submitted online, are due by April 3 for summer and fall 2000 study-abroad programs and by May 8 for winter/spring 2001 study-abroad sessions. Nomination forms are available at <www.udel.edu/studyabroad/ recommend/nominate.html>. Completed scholarship applications will be reviewed by a committee of faculty representatives who have extensive study-abroad experience, including committee chair Bill McNabb, International Programs and Special Sessions; Suzanne Austin Alchon, arts and science; David Black, business and economics; Iris Busch, arts and science; Tom Evans, agriculture and natural resources; and Norma Gaines-Hanks, human resources, education and public policy. For more information about the Starr Scholarships, visit the study-abroad web site at <www.udel.edu/studyabroad/ scholarships> or contact the Office of Overseas Studies at 831- 2852.