Donor Generosity Supports Student Scholarships and Faculty Innovation

Scholarships Support Students Across CAHSS

Donors raised over $1.2M in support of student scholarships this year in CAHSS. These scholarships provide financial assistance to students, allowing students who may not otherwise be able to pursue a DU education an opportunity to thrive here. Donors contributed to endowed scholarships and gave to departmental scholarship funds that support students across many majors. One such donor, Susan Fayad, sponsored a scholarship for cello students in the Lamont School of Music. Fayad wanted to support talented students in Matt Zelkin’s studio in the hopes that those “who might otherwise not be able to, can study music and then give that love back through their music.”

The Melrose Foundation has continued its support for the ninth year in a row with scholarships for students in the Media, Film, & Journalism Studies (MFJS) department.

“The Melrose Scholarships allow us to both attract and retain talented and motivated students who excel in the classroom,” MFJS Chair Derigan Silver said. “Because support is typically awarded for several years for all Melrose Scholarships, we are able to ensure students will receive financial support from the department on a reoccurring basis. This helps makes sure our best students can continue to thrive and grow.”

Support Scholarships in Any Area of CAHSS

Internship Support Expands in the College

Many alumni and donors supported new funds to support internships across the College. Donors during One Day for DU supporting the CAHSS Internship Program, allowing three times the number of summer internship awards. The Sturm Family Foundation supported ten CAHSS students who worked with non profit organizations over the summer. These paid internships allow students to explore career opportunities, expand their professional networks and build their resumes for life after DU.

Read More About Internship Opportunities

Faculty Research Garners Support

Donors and foundations supported CAHSS faculty in their research and creative work. Faculty continue to excel across disciplines and attract national and local support and press.

• This year Tracy Mott’s family and many alumni and Department of Economics colleagues established the Tracy Mott fund. The fund will support a student award and a symposium in the fall featuring leaders in economics to honor Tracy’s lifetime of achievement and impact on the field. (link to Econ page with story about sympositum)
• The Haiti Women’s Soap project, lead by Professor Renee Botta, works with women in Haiti on safe water and hygiene products to improve quality of life and empower local communities.
• The Philosophy department received funding to create a new faculty research fund and a visiting lecture series that will enable the department to bring in speakers and support faculty research and travel.
• The Rose Community Foundation gave a grant to the Holocaust Awareness Institute to support its work to provide online Holocaust education curriculum for teachers in Colorado and translate resources into Spanish.
• John and Christina Hatherley established the Hatherley Visiting Artists fund to bring in visiting artists from diverse backgrounds and mediums to meet with students for workshops and provide concerts for the DU community.
• The Helen Davis Gallery opened this spring with its first show featuring student artwork. Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Helen Davis and others, the School of Art and Art History was able to renovate part of the building into a new community art lab and classroom and open a new art gallery to showcase student and community art shows.

The Center for Innovation in the Liberal & Creative Arts, now in its fourth year, supported faculty innovation through seed funding and course releases to allow faculty the time and space to try out new courses, start new research and work with students on community projects. Donor funds supported the work of current CILCA projects including Documenting Colorado’s Hidden Voices, Spanish Program for Heritage/Bilingual Student Keystone Project, the Center for International Mountain Area Studies, and Classrooms to Career. Learn more about CILCA-funded work in the last year.