HWS News
18 June 2025 • Research Investing in Collaborative Summer Research
A 1974 alumnus who prefers to remain anonymous is providing important funding for summer research.
One generous alumnus believes that research outside the classroom, where students work with a faculty mentor over time to find solutions to important questions, is key to fostering the kind of independent-minded thinking the world needs.
Fifty years ago, education relied mainly on lectures and, as such, was more one-directional than it is today, reflects the anonymous alumnus behind the Class of 1974 Alumnus Annual Summer Science Research Fund and the Class of 1974 Alumnus Endowed Summer Science Research Fund. With a combined gift commitment of $135,000, this graduate is giving students the experience and coaching necessary to apply their knowledge in the world.
Moving out of the safety and comfort of the classroom can accelerate and deepen learning in a way little else can, the donor explains.
In the corporate world, especially in life sciences, he finds many new graduates enter the workforce with expertise but without an understanding of how to apply that knowledge within a business framework. Too often, he says, they fail to connect it to an organization, an industry or legislation to solve larger-scale problems. That learning, which he notes is intensive, is too often left for employers to do on the job.
That deeper level experience is inherent in HWS’ approach to the liberal arts and sciences and, he believes, is especially concentrated in the one-on-one scientific research relationships between students and faculty.
Summer research programs require students to spend part of the season on campus working intensively with a faculty member. Students receive housing, meals and a stipend. Each student is required to produce a written summary of their work and present a poster at the Summer Research Symposium during Homecoming and Family Weekend.
This kind of program, the donor says, fosters experiences that cultivate critical thinking, problem solving and collaborative work. These are the driving forces, he says, behind his gift, which he hopes other donors will recognize and join him in supporting.
Established this spring, the gift is a permanent endowment fund that supports a student each summer in perpetuity to work on a special research project with a faculty member in the sciences.
“This donor of over 32 years emphasizes entrepreneurship and innovation by looking beyond the lecture hall to the intellectual connections forged between faculty and students,” says Provost and Dean of Faculty Sarah Kirk. “The relationships that develop through one-on-one scientific research can last a lifetime and alter career trajectories. They can amplify the meaning students derive from their work—not to mention the impact they can make with it in the world.”
Top: Professor of Chemistry Justin Miller meets with student researchers during the summer.
