Bradley’s scholarship program helped alumnus Matt Noe (‘02) create a scholarship this year to give financial aid to a student involved with the LGBT community.
“The language in Matt’s scholarship talks about being able to support students that are engaged in student activities that are supported by or are respectful and thoughtful of the LGBT community,” Vice President of Advancement Jacob Heuser said.
Noe was awarded the Lydia Moss Bradley Award at the Founder’s Day Luncheon, where he announced his newly established scholarship while delivering his acceptance speech.
“He made mention that, while he was a student, he didn’t feel comfortable being himself,” Heuser said. “He wanted to provide a scholarship to encourage an environment that allows people to be comfortable being themselves, promoting that culture of being understanding and inclusiveness on campus.”
Scholarships created within Bradley’s program do not involve an application process because students might not apply to the scholarship, and that money would go unused, according to Heuser. Instead, a committee selects recipients based on criteria including financial need and academic standing.
“The benefit of the way we do it is we make sure every dollar goes to the students,” Heuser said.
Heuser said the committee spends time with potential donors to get to know them and their intentions for the scholarship.
“[It’s] almost interviewing them,” Heuser said. “[It’s] understanding what their interests are, what their needs are and where they feel like they want to have an impact.”
Heuser said he thinks scholarships are particularly important in today’s society for helping young people attend school.
“Bradley is about preparing 18 to 22-year-olds to have a successful career [and] I believe a successful life,” Heuser said. “A great way for us to be able to do that is to provide financial assistance. The less debt you’re going to leave college with, the better.”
