A contribution from MSU President M. Peter McPherson may allow more students to travel the world and, virtually, to the stars.
McPherson said Monday that he will donate $15,000 of his salary toward study abroad scholarships for students in the College Academic Achievement Program (CAAP), an initiative of the Office of Supportive Services.
He will also donate $10,000 toward the construction of the SOAR telescope in Chile, which is owned and operated by MSU and its four partners in the Southern Astrophysical Research Consortium.
McPherson said he hopes both donations show how MSU is internationally connected. Today, McPherson and other administrators and faculty are hosting a study abroad conference in Washington, D.C.
“I believe deeply in Michigan State,” he said. “Others contribute to Michigan State as they are capable, and (MSU’s first lady) Joanne and I want to do our part.”
In September, McPherson made a commitment to give back a $25,000 increase to his base salary every year for the remainder of his tenure.
McPherson’s salary is $216,000.
The larger donation this year will assist the first generation college students and low-income students who participate in the CAAP program to have the opportunity to study abroad.
McPherson called study abroad not only a possibility for MSU students but “a natural self-expectation.”
“In the CAAP program, two-thirds of their students are students of color,” he said. “I wanted to make sure all students, including those of color, consider studying abroad.”
MSU Trustee Dee Cook said McPherson’s donation to CAAP and study abroad was an exceptional idea and something the president stresses as a former Peace Corps member.
“I firmly believe that foreign experience is great to have in your résumé but more important to have in your life,” she said. “To give young people an opportunity to study abroad, especially to target these kids so they will have an experience like many other kids at MSU have had, is excellent.”
McPherson will officially announce his donation Monday in a visit to a CAAP freshman seminar.
Renée Sanders-Lawson, director of the Office of Supportive Services, said her office has been very excited since it heard about McPherson’s donation last week.
She said the donation should allow a more diverse group of students to study abroad. The program serves about 1,500 students, 430 of which are freshmen.
“For many of our students, it broadens the possibilities,” she said. “Some may not have thought they could go to a Big Ten university. Now not only do they have the opportunity to attend college, but they can travel outside the United States.”
The president’s other donation will aid construction efforts of the SOAR telescope, which will be remotely operated from the new Bio-Physical Sciences Building. It’s expected to be in operation by October 2002.
The College of Natural Science is trying to raise an additional $2 million for the project. MSU’s total contribution to the telescope is about $6 million.
“The telescope is a wonderful project for us,” McPherson said. “My hope is that Joanne and my contribution will encourage others to contribute as well.”
Astronomy Professor Timothy Beers, who has worked closely with developing the telescope, said he believes McPherson’s contribution will help him attract other donors.
“By the president making this commitment, it very clearly shows to (potential donors) that this is something of high importance,” he said. “He has called attention to the telescope, not just as a priority for the university, but for him personally.”
And Beers said the telescope will highlight MSU’s prominence and international connections.
“The remote observing center will be a visible and integral portion of the MSU campus,” he said. “The telescope project itself will do a great service to MSU’s image and future.”
