<p>Worcester Polytechnic Institute Receives $40 Million - Largest Gift in University History - for Student Scholarships</p>
<p><a href="http://www.wpi.edu/news/20134/foisie-contribution.html">http://www.wpi.edu/news/20134/foisie-contribution.html</a></p>
<p>From the article...
Foisie, a first-generation college graduate who, himself, received scholarships during his time as an undergraduate at WPI, is giving the university $40 million to provide scholarships for generations of students to come. Over the years, Foisie has built a long and generous history of philanthropy at WPI, with a particular focus on undergraduate scholarships.</p>
Mentoring is and important aspect of education. Teaching technology (e.g., internet) does help, but it does not replace the person to person exchange between a curious student and a mentor. Mentoring takes faculty time and requires a lower ratio between students and TEACHING faculty. In the STEM area, research actually generates money for a university. It helps all parties when the two can be blended in a symbiotic way… where teaching + research + scholarships = a better educated world.
Historically, a high number of STEM students were first generation college. From what I have read as a WPI alumnus, Mr. Foisie believes in making the highest quality eduction possible for those who are well qualified and who cannot otherwise afford a very expensive process . When an alumnus is financially successful and gives back to their school they are throwing a ladder to others. At WPI, they call this concept “paying forward.”
If resources were unlimited, every qualified student would receive a free education. But resources are limited. Who should receive these limited resources? We are not talking about a new car here! We’re talking about the development of a young life!
If two students are equally qualified, why should the limited monies be awarded to a student who can already choose to attend while another student looses an opportunity for personal growth and the world looses an opportunity to develop a valuable resource.
If you assume that HS rank-in-class and test scores predict future success with a very high degree of accuracy, than this problem is simplified. If STUDENT ONE has a higher RIC or a higher test score than STUDENT TWO we are to give the money to STUDENT ONE even though she could afford to go anyway.
Many years ago I worked in college admissions for ten years. Curiosity, motivation and " fill in this space" play a big role in professional and personal successes. Computers should not be making these decisions based solely on test scores. Admissions officers would have much more boring jobs and could be replaced by computers and mass advertising… wait! … this might help the financial aid problem!
In a perfect world, college mentoring starts with high school counseling.
.