Bonner Foundation Gives $4.92 Million to Endow Scholars Program at DePauw

August 30, 1993

August 30, 1993, Greencastle, Ind. - DePauw University is one of seven colleges and universities that have been selected by The Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation to receive nearly $5 million each in order to endow the prestigious Bonner Scholar Program at the institutions, DePauw President Robert G. Bottoms announced today.

The Bonner Foundation, Princeton, N.J., established the Bonner Scholars Program at DePauw in 1992 with the goal of helping entering students who have financial need and participate in community service activities. Each Scholar receives more than $3,000 per year. The Foundation chose DePauw based on the selective, liberal arts university's academic excellence, commitment to provide education for students with financial need, and high level of current student involvement in community service.

With a total gift of $35.67 million, The Bonner Foundation is endowing the Bonner Scholars program so that it will continue in perpetuity at DePauw and six other colleges. In addition to DePauw, the foundation provided endowments to Berry College, Rome, Ga.; Concord College, Athens, W. Va.; Davidson College, Davidson, N.C.; Emory & Henry College, Emory, Va.; Spelman College, Atlanta; and University of Richmond, Richmond, Va.

DePauw will receive $4.92 million to endow the Bonner Scholars program. There are 25 sophomores and 27 freshmen who are Bonner Scholars at DePauw this year. The university's goal is to have approximately 80 Bonner Scholars in all four class years.

DePauw students have a tradition of community service with more than one-half of the student body of 2,100 participating in volunteer activities each year. Students serve in the DePauw Community Services programs in local schools, nursing homes, prison and other sites; on construction and medical teams during Winter Term in Mission projects in foreign countries; weekend work projects such as the renovation of rundown houses in Indianapolis; and other volunteer programs.

"I am very proud that The Bonner Foundation has endowed the program at DePauw. The continuing Bonner Scholars Program will help to foster the moral growth of students through a commitment to service, and DePauw shares that goal with The Bonner Foundation," DePauw President Bottoms said. "The presence of 80 Bonner Scholars on campus will provide additional leadership for DePauw's already strong student volunteer programs."

The Bonner Scholars Program provides financial aid and community service opportunities to deserving young men and women who have the desire to get an education and a commitment to serve others. Bonner Scholarships are awarded to students who otherwise would not be able to afford college and who have been active citizens in the community and responsible family members at home. The gift represents the Foundation's commitment to the importance of higher education and the value it places on the idealism and talents of young people.

Bonner Scholars perform a minimum of 10 hours of service per week during the school year and participate in a service internship during the summer. The primary focus of their service activity is on tutoring and mentoring younger children. They also participate in special orientations, training and enrichment activities that help them become more thoughtful servants and leaders both on campus and in the community. Scholars are supported for four years of their undergraduate education.

During the 1993-94 academic year, the Bonner Scholars Program is supporting more than 1,347 college students at 22 colleges and universities. When in full operation, more than 2,000 students will be supported annually.

Other aspects of the program include a community fund from which Bonner Scholars allocate $8,000 to $10,000 annually to community agencies and projects where they volunteer. In addition, there is a loan reduction fund to help reduce a Scholar's loans upon graduation.

Bertram F. Bonner, a successful real estate developer, and his wife, Corella, a volunteer in local community activities, established the Bonner Foundation in 1981 with the mission "to help the person who is hurting." The Bonner Scholars Program began in 1990.

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