MUHLENBERG COLLEGE ESTABLISHES RJ FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Through a gift from the RJ Foundation, Muhlenberg College has established the RJ Fellowship Program. The program includes student scholarships, funding for course development, research, faculty development, and the RJ Fellows Symposium, a speakers' series. The program will eventually be permanently endowed.Monday, November 12, 2001 01:36 PM
Through a gift from the RJ Foundation, Muhlenberg College has established the RJ Fellowship Program. The program includes student scholarships, funding for course development, research, faculty development, and the RJ Fellows Symposium, a speakers' series. The program will eventually be permanently endowed.
The RJ foundation was established by Joseph and Rita Scheller. Mr. Scheller is the former chairman of Silberline Manufacturing Cp., Inc. He has been a member of the Muhlenberg College Board of Trustees since 1995 and has been a long-time board member of the College's Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding.
The RJ Fellowship Program is designed to provide 15 four-year grants of $3000 each. Students who have completed their first year at Muhlenberg are eligible for the award.
The program uses an unconventional approach to help students learn that the combination of education, responsibility and perseverance makes adventure into the unknown both possible and exciting.
To qualify for the RJ Fellowship students should be academically adventurous, intellectually curious, creative, and motivated to produce positive change in the world. The RJ Fellowship Program will complement the College's Dana and Muhlenberg Scholars programs, which have been providing scholarship grants and academic initiatives since 1987 and 1990 respectively.
"Joe and Rita Scheller are special friends of the College. As a result of their generosity, the College is able to implement yet another value-added program to benefit our students and faculty. We are grateful that they have presented us with such an opportunity," says Muhlenberg College President Arthur R. Taylor.
Curtis Dretsch, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College for Faculty, has worked closely with the Schellers to develop the program.
"The Scheller's gift will enhance Muhlenberg's active learning experience, and increase the cooperative research efforts of our students and faculty in an unusual and exciting ways," says Dretsch.
Muhlenberg is in the second year of a seven-year, $70 million comprehensive campaign. Approximately $35 million has already been pledged. The campaign involves the construction of two new residence halls; major renovations and additions to the Life Sports Center and the Student Union; a new home for the Department of Communication, WMUH Radio and the Muhlenberg College television station in the Commons building; endowed professorships; additional support for financial aid; and funds for endowed scholarships.
