National Auxiliary to Alumni Association

SCHOLARHIPS

Dear Auxiliary Members,

As I write this, exciting times and events are transpiring on campus for the matriculating class of 2015 including moving in and getting settled, orientation, meeting old and new classmates, and preparing for the inspirational white coat ceremony. Each of these is part of the medical school experience and each represents another step in the fulfilling of a dream for 168 student physicians.

Among this illustrious group of new students are three who have been carefully selected to receive scholarships from our organization. Each of them has been awarded $10,000 towards the tuition of their first year of medical school. As in years past, these scholarships have reduced the student’s debt incurred during their freshman year and for many, has been the difference that helped them decide to come to Loma Linda University School of Medicine.

Last year, we tried something new for our scholarship campaign, which was to include the appeal for support as part of the fall issue of the Auxiliary News negating a separate mailing. This was done in an attempt to save $4200 per year in printing and mailing costs allowing us to apply more of your donation directly to scholarships. Even though our total number of donors was down somewhat with this new approach, the total amount received made the appeal one of the best to date----$50,380 with no printing and mailing costs! Thank you to each one of you who gave so liberally!

One generous donation to our scholarship fund was given in the name of Vanessa Pullen (SM ‘98), a Loma Linda trained pediatrician who, along with her young family, lost her life prematurely and tragically in a plane crash in 2009. I cannot tell you how thrilled yet humbled the Auxiliary office was to receive this extraordinary gift to honor Dr. Pullen’s memory.

As you think about this year’s well deserving scholarship awardees, please make the best financial gift you can to the Auxiliary to further this critical scholarship program for future generations of medical students whom we all love. Please mail your donation to the Auxiliary office with “Scholarships” on the memo, or visit us at www.llu.medaux.org to make your donation online.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and for your prayers for this year’s scholarship awardees and the class of 2015.

Sincerely,

Donna Hadley
Scholarship Chair