The University of Indianapolis recently announced a $1 million gift to set up a scholarship that will be awarded to a senior chemistry or biology student with goals of attending medical school.
The scholarship comes as a gift from Robert E. Dicks, who graduated from UIndy in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and went on to graduate from Indiana University School of Medicine. According to UIndy 360, Dicks chose his career in medicine due to William Pitt Morgan, the former chair of biology at UIndy who the scholarship is named after. Morgan graduated from UIndy in 1919, then known as Indiana Central College, and began teaching biology at ICC the same year. This is not the first award to be named after Morgan, as the award for the outstanding student in biology is named in his honor, and the plaque can be found in Lilly Hall today.
According to Professor and Chair of Biology Sandra Davis the scholarship comes as a “pleasant surprise.”
“This gift was made by an alumni who has made the gift in the name of a former department chair because that chair had an impact on his life and changed the direction of his career,” Davis said. “I think that’s a great, great honor.”
She also stated that the scholarship’s parameters, such as the amount, who will be eligible, and how the recipient will be decided are still being decided upon. Davis said she hopes the scholarship will be available by next year.
Professor and Chair of Chemistry David Styers-Barnett said it is always great to have these kinds of opportunities for students.
“I think one of the nice things about this one is unlike most scholarships you apply for as an incoming freshman and you have that scholarship while you’re here,” Styers-Barnett said. “This is one where you can be rewarded for your performance in college as opposed to your preparation for college. It’s always nice to be able to reward students for hard work that they’ve done while they’re here.”
Styers-Barnett went on to say the gift would be given in increments and was unaware when the full amount would reach the University.
