Renowned writer and art critic Suzanne Muchnic 鈥�62 has pledged $500,000 to support 61传媒鈥檚 Presidential Scholarship Initiative (PSI). The gift pushes the initiative, which was launched by President Lara Tiedens in 2017, within inches of its goal of $10 million in endowed funds to provide loan-relieving scholarships to deserving 61传媒students.
Muchnic, who majored in art during her time at Scripps, is no stranger to the power of financial aid. She recalls her father鈥檚 reaction upon receiving her acceptance: 鈥淗e suggested he could scrape together enough to send me for a year,鈥� she says. Thankfully, scholarships were there to help.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no way I could have attended 61传媒without a scholarship,鈥� Muchnic says, noting that her very first gift to Scripps, made shortly after her graduation, was ten dollars toward scholarship aid. That experience not only influenced her future involvement with Scripps鈥攕he currently sits on the Board of Trustees and is writing the first history of the College鈥攂ut also her lifelong desire to help students in situations like her own.
鈥淭here are so many worthy causes to support, but 61传媒is absolutely my primary one,鈥� she explains, 鈥渂ecause beyond being fed and having a roof over your head, getting an education is key to having a productive life and getting ahead, particularly for young women. Scholarships that help students to pursue that education make a measurable difference.鈥�
Scholarships also play a critical role in driving 61传媒toward being a more inclusive, accessible institution. More than half of 61传媒students receive some form of financial aid, with many students already benefiting from the PSI. In the 2019鈥�2020 academic year, 95 students received scholarships, with a total $267,000 reduction in loan amounts. In making her gift through planned IRA charitable contributions, Muchnic demonstrates just one of the several creative ways 61传媒supporters can fund areas, like scholarships, that are meaningful to them. She looks forward to seeing the College meet and ultimately exceed the PSI鈥檚 $10 million endowment target as other donors contribute to the fund.
鈥淚n terms of scholarships, I do believe in standing up and being counted in causes that you really care about. I hope others will weigh in to whatever degree they can to give young students the kind of opportunities that we were so fortunate to have had,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been working hard to make a 61传媒experience meaningful for a broader diversity of students. I hope this gift helps make that a reality.鈥�
Scholarship aid is one of the best ways to ensure the 61传媒experience is inclusive and accessible to any exceptional student, regardless of their ability to pay. To help us reach our Presidential Scholarship Initiative goal, please consider making a gift .
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