One good gift deserves three others

3M Matching Grant provides scholarships to top undergraduates

Dan Schriever

Photo by Tom Foley

by Jodi Auvin

From M, spring 2003

"The 3M scholarship was a huge influence on my decision to attend the U," says Maralyssa Bann, a freshman in the College of Biological Sciences and valedictorian of her class at Eden Prairie High School. "I considered many schools nationwide, but chose the U because of its academic quality and the financial security it offered me and my family."

"I'm considering a double major in neuroscience and genetics. I hope to apply to graduate school and go into medical research," she continues. "Thanks to the scholarship, I have time to volunteer at an emergency room and the Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls Club. I'm also working on a research project in cardiovascular genetics with Jennifer Hall through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program and hope to submit my findings for publication this spring."

Thanks to a matching gift opportunity from 3M, Bann and other top students in business, engineering, and science-related disciplines are receiving scholarships, allowing them greater freedom to pursue their interests.

As part of Campaign Minnesota, 3M made a $1 million commitment in the form of a three-to-one matching gift challenge for 3M employees and retirees. In response, 360 donors, including 315 who are U of M alumni, rallied to the cause, pledging $364,000.

In fall 2002, the new 3M Alumni Undergraduate Merit Scholarship went to work. Seventeen students, including Bann, received four-year scholarships to the College of Biological Sciences, the Institute of Technology, and the Carlson School of Management; two students at UMD also received scholarships.

Victoria Gundelach from Wausau, Wisconsin, graduated at the top of her class and was considering Drake University, Washington University in St. Louis, and the U. "I chose the U because I was going into business and knew I needed to graduate from a school with a good reputation. Carlson has that esteem," says the Carlson School freshman. "The 3M scholarship has been tremendous. I'm extremely grateful because I've been able to spend much more time on my studies, as opposed to someone like my roommate, who works 10 to 20 hours a week to help pay off loans."

Victoria is planning on a degree in marketing, but says that because she's been exposed to such a diverse array of speakers through the Carlson School, she's still considering other options.

Dan Schriever, a freshman at the Institute of Technology who is planning a major in geology, spent spring of his senior year at St. Paul Central High School weighing offers from private schools like the University of Chicago and Yale.

"I'm certain that, if not for scholarships, I wouldn't have come to the U," says Schriever. "A scholarship allows me to pursue volunteer research positions with U faculty that I couldn't have considered had I needed a paying job. My experience here is comparable to, if not better than, what I might have found at any Ivy institution, and for that I'm very grateful."

"The impact of the new 3M scholarships has been amazing," says Wayne Sigler, director of admissions on the Twin Cities campus. "We've been able to attract many students who would not, in the past, have strongly considered the U."