Our Crowdfunding Groups
With 11 hours left in the campaign, we want to say THANK YOU to the 44 donors to the G. Alec Stewart Book & Resource Fund and to all of the students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the University Honors College (UHC) who made this crowdfunding effort a success. Each gift is a testament to the importance of intellectual curiosity and interdisciplinary learning.
We also want to share some wonderful news about the accomplishments of just a few of our phenomenal honors students who are leaving their mark on the world. Many of these students are beneficiaries of this fund as participants in UHC Discussion groups and special events with visiting authors.
Lia Petrose '17 - Truman Scholar (2016)
Patrick A. Asinger '17, Natalie R. Dall '17, & Charles J. Hansen '17 - Goldwater Scholars (2016)
Bailey Lien '17 - Udall Scholar (2016)
Mehrgol Tiv '16 - Humanity in Action Fellow (2016)
Thank you to everyone who has given so generously to the UHC’s G. Alec Stewart Book & Resource Fund for believing in the power of books and interdisciplinary learning as catalysts for deeper thinking and reflection. We are thrilled to announce that we exceeded our original goal in a mere 10 days!
With 28 days to go in the campaign, we want to continue to build on this fund that will provide support for students in perpetuity. Its growth further ensures that future generations of honors students will receive the support needed to fully explore their intellectual passions through the written word. Increasing our goal to $7,000 will ensure that more students in need are able to receive book scholarships and that no matter the financial stressors in a given year the UHC is always able to support student-led UHC Discussion Groups.
Thank you again for taking time to learn about our campaign and to share it with others. Your support of the University Honors College and the G. Alec Stewart Book & Resource Fund is appreciated.
All the best,
2016 G. Alec Stewart Book & Resource Fund Steering Committee
Financial burden was a major challenge that I faced as a student at Pitt. In 2009, I moved to the United States as a Bhutanese refugee from Nepal. I often struggled to buy textbooks that are required for classes and pay rent. Since I could not afford books, I depended on PowerPoint slides and notes or borrowing books from professors. Not being able to buy the books negatively influenced my performance. In spring 2015, I received $500 through the G. Alec Stewart Book & Resource Fund. With the help of this fund, I was able to buy the books and online resources required for my classes. This award was truly a great support towards my education as it reduced my financial burden and helped me focus better on my studies. My academic performances improved and my name appeared on the dean list of spring 2015.
A gift of $10 will buy a paperback book. One of Doc’s favorites was The Two Cultures, by CP Snow.
A gift of $25 will enable us to buy hardback books by visiting speakers like CNN’s Dr. Fareed Zakaria, author of In Defense of a Liberal Education. Books are gifted to students who agree to read in advance and take part in discussions with visiting authors.
These groups can be a catalyst for interdisciplinary exploration. A gift of $50 will fund one or two students’ participation in these lively and engaging student-led discussions.
Engaging with authors on their process and debating their arguments is a powerful experience. A gift of $125 will fund the purchase of books for a small group of students to read the work of visiting scholars like Robert D. Putnam, author of Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis, and have the unique opportunity to discuss reactions with the author.
Too often, students cannot afford to purchase books for class. A gift of $250 will provide the opportunity for a student to purchase books and truly immerse themselves in a class.
“We know what we are, but know not what we may be” - William Shakespeare. A gift of $500 will fund a UHC Discussion Group of 10-12 students where new passions and paths may be discovered. From the biology major exploring medieval literature to the economics major discovering satire, this gift unlocks potential and new passions.
From “Medicine and Muffins,” to “Race an Ongoing Struggle,” to “Discovering Plays,” the UHC typically sponsors 5+ groups a year. A gift of $2,500 will sponsor multiple groups over the course of a year.
