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Special Edition: Feb. 2, 2011

Gift Raises Scholarship Commitment to $25 Million

Handler Scholar Amy Roth ’11 talks with Paul Burgett, University vice president and general secretary, after the announcement of Rich and Martha Handler’s $20 million scholarship commitment. Roth, a psychology major who plans to attend nursing school, says the scholarship has allowed her "the freedom to find what I'm passionate about."

University Trustee Rich Handler ’83 and his wife, Martha, have announced their intention to make a gift of $20 million that will raise their total giving to $25 million—the largest commitment to student scholarship in University history. The additional gift will provide substantial support to the Alan and Jane Handler Scholarship Fund. The fund was established in 2007 by Rich and Martha with a grant totaling $5 million and is named in honor of Rich's parents.

Student recipients are known as the Alan and Jane Handler Scholars and are selected on the basis of outstanding scholarship potential, financial need because of under-privileged backgrounds, and outstanding potential to be future leaders. Each student receives a scholarship that covers all University expenses, including tuition and fees, room, board, and books. Handler Scholars receive awards annually throughout their undergraduate years at the University, as long as they demonstrate adequate academic performance.

"Martha and I increased our scholarship program to $25 million because we were so pleased that the University of Rochester did such an excellent job of selecting amazing students, who through no fault of their own are truly in need," Rich Handler says.

"There is never a perfect or easy time to make a significant charitable gift, but the University has embraced our passion to help extremely qualified future leaders who have already overcome huge odds. These young men and women just need a little help before they set out to make the world a better place. We are honored to be part of this process and look forward to participating in this significantly expanded program," he adds. Read more...

Parents Buzz is produced by University Communications, Parent Relations, and the Parents Program. It is e-mailed monthly to parents of undergraduates in the College and at the Eastman School of Music. View issues online at www.rochester.edu/parentsbuzz. Direct feedback and questions to parentsbuzz@rochester.edu.