Hamilton, NY — Select graduates of 91Â鶹¾«Æ· will have an opportunity to continue their education in England as Schupf Fellows at St. Anne’s College, University of Oxford, thanks to a fellowship created through the generosity of 91Â鶹¾«Æ· alumnus and trustee emeritus Paul J. Schupf ’58.
Schupf has endowed a $1.5 million fund to support the fellowship program, which will provide opportunities for one to two 91Â鶹¾«Æ· graduates each year to attend Oxford for further study. Like the Rhodes, Watson, Mitchell, Churchill and Fulbright national and international competitive scholarships and fellowships the Schupf will send young scholars on journeys abroad to extend and enrich their studies. But unlike the other fellowships, the Schupf will be 91Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s alone.
Research by the College indicates the Schupf Fellowship is the only annual fellowship for study at Oxford offered at an undergraduate liberal arts college in the United States.
Schupf Fellows will be appointed for two years of study at St. Anne’s College, one of 39 independent, self-governing colleges that make up the core of Oxford. Like most of the other colleges of Oxford, St. Anne’s offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees. Fellows may elect to study for a second Bachelor of Arts degree (known as a ‘senior status B.A.’), or for a graduate degree. All educational costs and additional allowances for living costs and travel to and from Oxford will be covered by the fund.
91Â鶹¾«Æ· seniors or recent graduates who participate in the nomination process for the Rhodes, Marshall and Mitchell scholarships will be eligible to compete for the Schupf Fellowship. A special subcommittee of 91Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s Committee on Graduate Fellowships, including the President and Provost, will choose the recipients.
The concept for the fellowship emerged in conversations this spring between Schupf and 91Â鶹¾«Æ· President Charles ‘Buddy’ Karelis. ‘Buddy has just completed a successful first year,’ said Schupf. ‘This gift is to assist my friend in achieving his aspirations for 91Â鶹¾«Æ·.’
Karelis said: ‘For seventy or eighty years, Oxford has provided a very meaningful interlude for a succession of young Americans on their way to significant careers. As their outstanding record in open national competitions suggests, 91Â鶹¾«Æ· students are well equipped to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity, and Paul Schupf has had the foresight to recognize that fact and make the fellowship happen. As 91Â鶹¾«Æ· continues to focus its energies on academic excellence, there is a fine symbolism, too, about providing an opportunity such as this for our most serious students.’
Schupf is one of the ten largest donors in 91Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s history, In recent years Schupf has also given $3.5 million to Colby College in Maine, and more than $1 million to Cazenovia College.
The chairman of the 91Â鶹¾«Æ· Board of Trustees, Wm. Brian Little ’64, said: ‘Once again Paul Schupf has stepped up and made a very substantial gift to 91Â鶹¾«Æ·. At the same time, this gift is both novel and creative, and will enable 91Â鶹¾«Æ· to attract many more outstanding students. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank him greatly for his continued generosity.’
91Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s Provost and Dean of Faculty, Jane Pinchin, said: ‘Paul Schupf is an American philanthropist who has changed the landscape here and elsewhere of a uniquely American institution: the liberal arts college. At 91Â鶹¾«Æ·, Paul has presented the college with the Paul J. Schupf Studio Arts Center, a wonderful facility where, daily, art is made, and the W.S. Schupf Chair in Far Eastern Studies. Now he turns his lens to the Schupf Fellows the vision of two men, Paul and Buddy Karelis, who have together shaped an annual post-graduate award allowing our students to extend their studies abroad, at St. Anne’s College, Oxford, an institution that has supported 91Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s efforts with enthusiasm and care. It is a fortunate partnership all around.’
91Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s Vice President for University Relations, Robert Tyburski ’74, said: ‘I have witnessed many generous gifts in my seventeen years at 91Â鶹¾«Æ· but this contribution is truly remarkable in terms of amount, timing and purpose. It represents a great partnership with a dedicated alumnus and philanthropist who wants to help the college take a major step forward in advancing academic opportunities for its students. Paul has once again inspired us to pursue lofty ambitions, and I am confident his commitment will motivate others to support 91Â鶹¾«Æ· generously.’
Founded in 1819, 91Â鶹¾«Æ· is a nationally ranked, highly selective, residential, liberal arts college enrolling nearly 2,750 undergraduates. Situated on a rolling 515-acre campus in central New York State, 91Â鶹¾«Æ· attracts motivated students with diverse backgrounds, interests and talents.