Class of 2010 donates scholarship

The Class of 2010 has voted to establish the “Class of 2010 Scholarship” as its senior class gift. This scholarship is an endowed fund designed to provide financial aid to incoming students. It is designed with a preference for international students, who often need large amounts of financial aid.

The Committee has not yet finalized exactly how much money it hopes to raise for the scholarship fund, or how much of the senior class it hopes will contribute. The Committee’s e-mail said that fundraising got off to a good start at the recent 200 Days Party, held on Nov. 21 in McCullough Social Space. However, the Committee hopes that much more can be raised in the months to come.

“The Senior Committee is still in the process of determining a participation goal as well as a dollar goal. We started fundraising at the 200 Days Party and will continue fundraising until the end of the school year,” said Conetta.

Co-advisor to the Senior Committee and Assistant Director of Annual Giving Jennifer Conetta ’10 explained the rationale behind a scholarship specifically meant for international students.

“The reason for the international preference is due to the increased need for financial aid amongst international students,” she said. “The goal of this gift is to establish an endowed fund to support financial aid.”

Another factor behind the decision to create the scholarship is the fact that Old Chapel has recently moved from need-blind to need-aware admissions for international students. A need-aware policy means that some international students may not be admitted based on relative financial weakness. Given these circumstances, the scholarship aims to help maintain the number of international students at the College.

“Since we value and cherish the diversity and culture that every student brings to Middlebury, we believe that all applicants deserve an equal opportunity to be considered. For this reason the scholarship has an international student preference,” the Committee said.

However, Conetta added that while the scholarship is meant for international students, a domestic student could still receive aid from the fund if no international students are in need of financial aid.

“If the financial aid needs of all eligible international students were to be covered by other sources, a domestic student could receive funding from the Class of 2010 Scholarship Fund,” she said.

Overall, seniors expressed satisfaction with the gift. Many thought the gift was tasteful and appropriate, despite the fact that it is a scholarship instead of a material contribution to the College.

“I don’t feel that we need to give a tangible gift,” said Glen Frieden ’10.

The gift from the Class of 2009, in contrast, was a fund to renovate the Woodstove Lounge in Proctor Dining Hall.

Underclassmen also liked the idea of a scholarship, despite the fact that they will not benefit from a physical gift. Although some found the gift unusual, they generally agreed that it was appropriate since it was for a good cause.

“I know a lot of international students, and I think it’s a good experience for them to come here. A scholarship that makes it easier for international students to come here would be a good contribution to the campus,” said Teddy Pendergast ’13.

“It’s an interesting idea that they decided not to go with a tangible contribution,” said Amanda Powers ’12. “Contributions to financial aid are definitely important, especially in these economic times.”