Boosting scholarship here and abroad
|
|
|
Pictured are members of the Indonesia Secondary Educational Development Program with benefactor Edward Wanandi, front row, fourth from left; his wife, Netty, front row, second from left; and their children, Catherine, far right; Jennifer, third from right; and Arthur, standing behind Jennifer. Joining them are Ted Munz, S.J., of Loyola Academy, back row, center; Justin Daffron,S.J. (partially hidden); and Loyola President Michael Garanzini, S.J., second from right. |
Loyola University Chicago trustee Edward Wanandi, CEO and Chairman of Trailmobile Corporation in Lake Forest, has a strong desire to further the education of students both here and abroad. His gifts over the next five years to the Ricci Scholars program will be matched by the University and will provide scholarships for students studying at the John Felice Rome Center and the Beijing Center for Chinese Studies. A previous gift will be increased to bolster a program offered through the School of Education to help educate primary and secondary school administrators in Indonesia.
The Ricci Scholars program offers undergraduates the opportunity for guided international research
and study in Rome and Beijing.
“I have a keen interest in seeing students gain a real understanding of these two cultures, especially in the business environment,” says Wanandi. “Chicago touts itself as the gateway for Asian businesses who seek to work with partners in the U.S. I think Loyola can take a prominent position by providing this type of international education.”
“Many thanks should go to Mr. and Mrs. Wanandi for their foresight in providing support for an extremely creative program,” says Dawn Harris, director of the Ricci Scholars program.
Wanandi’s vision and commitment also led to the Indonesia Secondary Educational Development Program, which is a partnership between Loyola’s School of Education and Sanata Dharma University in Indonesia. This summer, 12 Indonesian school leaders came to Loyola to begin a master’s program in instructional leadership. Upon completing the three-year program, 10 of the participants will return to their country to become administrators in junior high and high schools. The remaining two class members will continue their studies at Loyola and receive PhDs before returning to Sanata Dharma to set up a program providing ongoing classes in leadership training. All 12 of the program’s graduates will teach in the program. In addition to providing a gift for this program, Wanandi also secured significant additional funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. for a total of $1.7 million.
“I believe in Catholic education, and helping fund this program will directly help those who will be teaching the next generation of students in Indonesia. It’s very important work and there is a great need for it,” says Wanandi.