Change a Life Scholarship Challenge Off to A Fast Start With $4 Million Raised Already
Sam Rose '58 (center) poses with Dickinson President John E. Jones III '77, P'11, and some of his the students who benefit from his scholarship a recent during the recent Rose Scholars Dinner on campus.
New Challenge Almost Halfway Toward Unlocking $20 Million in Scholarship Support
The $10-million Change a Life Scholarship Challenge that Sam Rose ’58 launched earlier this year recently cracked the $4 million mark, nearing the halfway point toward its goal. Because Rose’s challenge offers a dollar-for-dollar match for scholarship gifts, that adds a total of $8 million toward scholarships, bringing Dickinson’s total for the overall $75-million Campaign for Scholarships to $63 million.
“The fast start we’ve gotten off to with this challenge is truly stunning,” said President John E. Jones III ’77, P’11, who announced the challenge to the Dickinson community on Jan. 24. “I’m so impressed by the way this community has rallied behind Sam and our goal of providing a scholarship to every deserving Dickinson student.”
Much of the early momentum came through Dickinson’s Day of Giving on Tuesday, April 2, which raised over $690,000 for scholarships ($1.38 million including Rose’s matching gifts) with 783 gifts. Scholarship giving that day was further amplified by a series of successful alumni challenges. The day included a successful $60,000 scholarship challenge from 1989 alumnae Amy Barefoot, Gretchen Brigden, and Ashley Brookes Richardson as well as scholarship challenges from Raven’s Claw, Wheel & Chain, and the classes of 1994 and 1995.
“I would not be where I am now without those four years at Dickinson,” said Brigden on the motivation behind her class’s challenge. “Giving back—and celebrating who we are and who we were through the reunion—is pure joy.”
While there is much to celebrate because of this early momentum, the Change a Life Challenge still requires an additional $6 million to reach its full potential and bring the Campaign for Scholarships to a successful close by the June 2025 deadline. Every contribution, big or small, plays a vital role in ensuring that deserving students have access to a transformative Dickinson education.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our alumni, parents and friends who have embraced Sam’s challenge as well as out Campaign for Scholarships: Change a Life—Change the World,” said President Jones. “Their support allows us to invest in the future of our students and empower them to make a lasting impact on the world. We invite everyone to join this momentum and make their gift today. Together, we can ensure that a Dickinson education remains accessible to all qualified students, regardless of their financial background.”
Published June 6, 2024