Tufts Medicine

Term scholarships—non-endowed, named scholarships established for a set number of years and seeded annually by a gift of $15,000 or more—provide vital funds to support students at the School of Medicine. “They are extremely meaningful because we are able to award the entire gift to the student annually,” said Tara Olsen, assistant dean of financial aid. “This type of strategy lets a donor determine the funding amount while making an important impact for one or more students.”

And four-year pledges that follow a student through medical school are especially significant. “Cost is a very large factor in the decision-making process and these scholarships allow us to recruit the most talented students,” Olsen said. “It is such an honor to notify students when they’ve been selected to receive a scholarship for the next four years—it has an immediate financial impact and allows them to graduate with the least amount of debt.” We asked four term-scholarship donors to share the reasons behind their generous giving.

Photo: Matthew Healey

“Supporting students for all four years will hopefully reduce their stress levels and provide a healthier environment for studying and learning. In addition, my hope in supporting students who are from less advantaged socio- economic backgrounds is that they return to their communities and help those who have the greatest need for health-care services.” 
—James Chang, M68, who established an eponymous scholarship fund in 2016.

“Academically, I was far from the strongest applicant when Tufts University School of Medicine took a chance and accepted me. How can I not pass on the opportunity and privilege?” 
—Maturin (Mat) Finch, M87, M18P, who established the Finch-Sedor Family Scholarship with his wife, Carolyn Sedor, M86, M18P.

“I wanted to recognize the impact Dr. John T. Harrington had at the medical school and as a dear family friend. He was a quintessential Renais- sance man and a wonderful clinician, and Tufts trains physicians to have many of the virtues he had. I also wanted to show my gratitude for the incredible education I received at Tufts, which has shaped the pediatrician I am today. I want a Tufts education to be accessible to as many students as possible.” 
—Elizabeth Blecharczyk, M09, whose gift is in memory of late School of Medicine Dean John T. Harrington.

Photo: Jake Belcher

“Our uncle, Dr. A. E. Rosen, graduated from Tufts School of Medicine—and we know how much the school meant to him. So, we decided to honor his memory with scholarships and hope to help more students attend medical school.” 
—Walter and Sandra Rosen, who along with their son Brian (above with scholarship recipient, Kimia Kashkooli, M20), have given the Dr. Everett Rosen and Ruth E. Rosen Term Scholarship annually since 2013 in memory of Abraham E. Rosen, M39.

To learn more about term scholarships, please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 617-636-6770 or medicine-giving@tufts.edu.