The spirit of the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid inspired a prominent scholarship designed to help students in the Michigan State University College of Engineering strive for greatness, and that spirit continues to grow today.
For some, the vitality of Olympic competitions can be likened to the sense of community students experience during their time at MSU, as the promise and excitement of their college years turn out to be some of the biggest moments of their lives.
The MSU Olympic Scholarship was created by donors to help individuals who need a boost to complete their education. The scholarship provides students with opportunities to experience extra things in their education – things they might not have had time for because they needed to work.
"Each year, the College of Engineering offers more than 200 scholarships, totaling approximately $1,500,000, to support our Spartan Engineers. Among these, the Olympic Scholarship for Engineering awarded the largest scholarship from the college's endowed scholarship funds last year,” said Engineering Dean Leo Kempel.
“When donors establish an endowed fund like the MSU Olympic Scholarship, it results in a sustainable gift that can make a difference for many students over the long term. Donor funded scholarships are a critical tool for Spartan Engineering to continue to be a special place of opportunity for the Michigan innovators of tomorrow, our students,” Kempel added.
The original plan for the MSU Olympic Scholarship was to make financial aid awards alternately between two academic areas – mechanical engineering and applied engineering sciences, but gifts along the way helped the scholarship fund grow to a point that financial assistance is now awarded to students in each program annually.
This investment in Spartan Engineering students has had a dramatic impact.
“The MSU Olympic Scholarship for Engineering changed the course of my education,” said Alejandro Tlatelpa, a 2023 mechanical engineering graduate. “Receiving it allowed me to freely engage in the various resources that MSU offers its students such as networking events, social events, and mock interviews. This helped me land a full-time job right out of school as a powertrain engineer at Toyota Research and Development.
“Words cannot fully express how thankful I am to have received this scholarship. I was able to reach two of the biggest achievements in my life -- becoming the first in my family to graduate from university and becoming our first engineer,” he added.
Amber Jakiel, a 2024 applied engineering sciences graduate, said it’s hard to put into words the difference the Olympic Scholarship made in her education.
“It allowed me to thrive during my time at MSU. I knew the standard a student picked for this scholarship needed to be, so I really wanted to represent my Spartan Engineers well. I would like to thank the donors and tell them it was one of the most impactful parts of my college experience.”
After graduating in April, Jakiel joined the operations leadership program at Carrier in Georgia. Her first six-month rotation is in environmental, heath and safety.
About endowed funds and matching gifts
Endowed funds can provide support to students, faculty and specific programs. For donors who establish student scholarships, some like knowing their gift supports multiple students, while others prefer to see their contribution make the largest impact for an individual student. Once a fund is established by a donor, other donors can contribute to it.
Supporting an established fund, such as the MSU Olympic Scholarship, is a way for donors to make an immediate and lasting impact on students' lives, ensuring vital financial assistance is available.
Many employers offer matching gift programs that can double or even triple contributions to scholarships. These programs are a powerful way to maximize impact and support for students on their educational journeys. To find out if a company offers a matching gift program and to access the necessary forms, visit MSU's Matching Gift Program.
To learn more about support for students, contact the College of Engineering Advancement Office at GIVE.
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