Summer 2007

Class Scholarships Enable College To Continue Recruiting The Best Students

Seven Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduating classes have reached or exceeded a financial goal that will have a positive impact on Rose-Hulman students and the reputation of Rose- Hulman for many decades. Their efforts are creating new scholarships to enable the college to successfully compete for the nation’s best students. Each class has achieved the goal of raising at least $50,000 or more to establish an endowed scholarship fund in honor of their class. Four classes have a scholarship fund value of over $130,000. Thirty-three classes have started raising funds to endow a scholarship. The market value of the three largest funds are the classes of 1940 ($994,724), 1954 ($608,000) and 1952 ($276,247) as of December, 2006.

“Almost all of us received some type of financial help when we were students, and we should honor those who assisted us by providing scholarships to ensure that Rose-Hulman can continue to recruit outstanding students,” stated Hal Brown, a Rose-Hulman trustee, who is involved in planning the 50th reunion for the class of 1957 at homecoming Sept. 28-29. At their reunion dinner, the class will present a $57,000 check to President Gerald Jakubowski to launch their scholarship fund.

Fred Goetsch, who is chair of the class of 1957 reunion, says getting a few early gifts is important to a successful effort. “You need to identify a core group in your class to ‘seed’ the fundraising effort,” he recommends. “In our case, Ron Meredith was the leader. Then it takes personal contacts and continued follow-ups to seek support.”

In addition to the class of 1957, graduates of 1977 have reached their goal in time for their reunion at homecoming.

“We have received fairly broad based support,” notes ’77 class member Jeff Burgan, who along with classmate Warren Mickens has coordinated efforts to raise funds for their class scholarship. “The next class reunion will be interesting since we will honor the first recipient of our class scholarship,” says Burgan, past president of the Rose-Hulman Alumni Association.

“It took our class five years for the most part to get to where we are. The real key is whether we can push to double the amount over the next few years,” Burgan said.

Mark Lindemood, vice president for development, encourages classes to plan early and to use a reunion year, especially the 25th or 50th, as a timeframe to achieve the $50,000 goal or significantly add to an existing class scholarship fund.

“A reunion year is a time when graduates gather to reflect about how Rose-Hulman had a significant, positive impact on their lives. It is an ideal time to give a very special gift to their alma mater,” he said.

Lindemood encouraged classes that have started their funds to increase their efforts to exceed their goal. “Providing the excellent engineering and science programs Rose-Hulman offers with a low student-to-faculty ratio requires additional resources to maintain and enhance,” he emphasized. “Increasing our scholarship programs is vital to ensuring the college’s leadership position,” Lindemood stated.

Rose-Hulman is not able to provide the level of financial aid offered by other colleges and universities it is competing against for outstanding students, notes Jim Goecker, dean of admissions and financial aid. “We’re competing against the best colleges and universities in the country who are able to meet a student’s financial need which is something we are not always able to do. To continue to be the best, we must be able to recruit the best,” he emphasized.

If your class has a scholarship effort under way, you can find out the value of the fund at www.rose-hulman.edu/development/acscholarship.htm

To discuss beginning a fundraising effort to create a class scholarship, contact Jessica Callahan, coordinator of development activities, 812-877-8217, or at Jessica.Callahan@rose-hulman.edu