The most rewarding aspect of my work as a
development officer is also a great privilege. I hear wonderful
stories about people's lives and the forces that shape and
motivate human beings. Whenever I read over a list of named
endowments, for example, I'm acutely aware that the individuals
who established those funds did so for very personal reasons
and out of deep feeling.
Some people honor the memory of a loved one or a revered
mentor by making a gift. Many donors have told me that their
education would not have been possible without the aid of
scholarships or fellowships. People will say, “My education
changed my life,” and the emotion I hear in that person's
voice explains why the desire to help a young person is so
strong. Sometimes it's a place and its people that inspire
a donor's generosity.
Alumnus Dick Hanschen (EE '45) harbors a deep affection
for Minnesota's heartland. In 1988, Hanschen established
the Cyrus Scholars, an endowed scholarship fund named in
honor of his hometown—Cyrus, located in west-central
Minnesota. Students from four school districts in the region
who want to pursue a major in IT are eligible to become Cyrus
Scholars. They must have a good academic record and write
an essay to accompany their application.
Cyrus Scholars receive an award that covers the cost of
tuition for four years, provided they pursue a major in IT
and maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0. During
their freshman year, scholarship recipients also receive
a substantial stipend to pay for a personal computer. Part
of the beauty of the Cyrus Scholars program is that Dick's
original gift has nearly tripled in size as an endowment
with the University of Minnesota Foundation. Nine students
currently hold the title Cyrus Scholar.
Last fall, Dick hosted a reception for the students and
Alan Estenson (Aerospace '94, M.S. '96), member of the Cyrus
Scholars recipient committee and former Cyrus Scholar. Dick
spent a memorable evening visiting with the students, who
told him about their aspirations and plans for the future.
A proud mentor, he offered them encouragement, career advice,
and book recommendations.
The Cyrus Scholars endowment fulfills Dick's long-held dream
to give back to a place he loves by investing in its most
precious resource—its young people.
All of Minnesota would be well-served if we could attain
Dick Hanschen's vision for towns and small cities throughout
the state. Economic development in those communities has
a greater chance of succeeding when local young people obtain
a first-rate education and bring that knowledge and leadership
back to their hometowns.
The state's future vitality hinges on the existence of a
skilled workforce trained in scientific and technological
fields. Just imagine what might be possible for Minnesota
if regional scholarships were available to the most talented
students from across the state and financial need were no
longer a barrier to attending the Institute of Technology.
Picture a future in which resources, brainpower, skill, and
imagination generate a prosperity that extends to the farthest
corners of the state.
I welcome the opportunity to work with our generous alumni
and friends who want to build a legacy that's personally
satisfying and meaningful. Together we can achieve our goals
for Campaign Minnesota and realize our vision for the future.
