2008 Woodie Awards
MSU Sees Largest Single Donation in it's History
Merediths Give Money for Scholarship Gift
by Michelle Campbell
|
Donald and Marjorie Meredith donated the largest single scholarship gift in the history of Minnesota State -- $720,000 -- to endow scholarships for science and mathematics students.
The endowment will fund four full scholarships per year, including tuition, fees and support for living expenses to a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior studying science or math.
"The scholarship money will continue to allow MSU to attract the best of the best students and will stimulate faculty to attract the best of the best to MSU," Donald said.
"With their generous gift, Dr. and Mrs. Meredith have created a wonderful endowment and have set the standards for scholarship giving at MSU. This will benefit students for generations," said President Richard Davenport in a press release.
The Merediths created the Meredith Scholars program in 1995. Meredith Scholars are able to focus on education without working outside jobs.
Meredith Scholar Anne Simonis said the Meredith scholarship has helped her focus more on classes and has taken away stress that comes with funding a college education.
Simonis, an ecology and Spanish sophomore, is studying marine biology in Warrnambool, Australia.
"I am so thankful for the scholarship, as it is helping fund this amazing opportunity," she said. "I have been able to establish my own whale research project on whale acoustics, as well as becoming involved in various whale surveying projects."
At Minnesota State, Simonis is a member of the Spanish club and volunteers at the Department of Natural Resources and the American Cancer Society.
"The Meredith scholarship has allowed me to be active in the community as well as academically involved," Simonis said.
A Meredith Scholarship is awarded every year to a first-year MSU student who intends to study science or math. Candidates must be in the top 10 percent of their class and score in the 90th percentile on the ACT.
Awards to sophomore, junior and senior Meredith Scholars are renewed annually. Students are required to maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA, major in science or math and use scholarship money for school.
"The future of Minnesota relies on people with an understanding of science and math and we need more professionals and teachers with this knowledge," said Vice President of Academic Affairs Scott Olson.
"The scholarship gift shows student support for studies in science and math," said John Frey, dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology.
In 1957, Meredith co-founded Mankato's Orthopedic & Fracture Clinic, PA. According to a press release, Meredith served as one of MSU's first athletic team physicians and helped the university create the nation's oldest accredited athletic training program.
Meredith attended Valley City State University, the University of North Dakota and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He completed his surgical residency in the University of Minnesota orthopedic surgery program.
"The reason I chose MSU to donate money to is because it's a university in Mankato and I spent my professional life serving the people of Mankato and Southern Minnesota," Meredith said.
The Meredith's reside in Sun Lakes, Ariz., but still spend the summer months in Mankato.
Michelle Campbell is a Reporter staff writer