Aspiring young scientists now have another way to support their education at Chapman University. Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation He is the longest serving member of the Board of Directors.
On October 3, the foundation announced a $1 million gift to create the Wescom STEM Scholarship at Chapman’s Schmidt School of Science and Technology. The scholarship recognizes recently retired Beckman Foundation Director Gary Wescom and was announced at the awards ceremony. Keck Science and Engineering Center.
“It’s great to have recognition from a major national foundation. It means they see us as a training ground.” He is Orange County’s top STEM scholar,” said Schmidt College Dean Michael Ibba.
The four-year scholarship, awarded beginning in fall 2024, will support two students each year. Students must be from Orange County and majoring in a science field. These scholars receive mentorship from both faculty and colleagues.
Mr. Wescom has served on the foundation’s board for 25 years and is a past board chair. When he decided to retire from the board, he was given a gift of $1 million in support.
“Our family is looking forward to meeting the scholarship recipients and seeing what they are accomplishing,” Wescom said.
“Arnold Beckman loved science, he loved Orange County, and he loved young people,” Wescom continued. “George Argyros is a big supporter of Chapman and initially got me involved in the Beckman Foundation. Therefore, I decided that I should offer a science scholarship to Chapman University.”
In addition to his friendship with ArgyrosWescom’s daughter, Joy, who was Chapman’s longest-serving board chair, graduated from Chapman in 1992, and his son-in-law, Warner Griswold, teaches at the Argyros College of Business and Economics. is taking.
Andrew Ryan, founding dean of Chapman University’s Fowler School of Engineering, current professor at Chapman University, and chairman of the Beckman Foundation, said: “Gary’s long service to the Foundation and his commitment to supporting young scientists are significant. It is a great honor to honor the foundation’s mission.”
“As Chairman, he was instrumental in further cementing the Foundation’s reputation as a powerhouse of innovation in the chemical and life sciences. He chose to continue that effort through the establishment of this endowment at Chapman. I’m excited about what I did,” Ryan said.
Chapman President Daniele C. Struppa said the gift “helps us support.” strategic planning Our goal is to support academic excellence at Chapman University. ”
“Wescom STEM Scholarships will help us develop more homegrown talent in the sciences and bring more Chapman graduates into the STEM industries in Orange County,” he said.
This gift is a goal of Chapman’s strategic plan. Inspire campaign.is more than $358 1 million has been collected.
“Gary has been a longtime champion of science education in Orange County, and I can’t think of a better way to thank him for his contributions to the Beckman Foundation and our community,” said campaign co-chair Jim Mazzo.
The Beckman Foundation also funds the Beckman Scholars Program, which supports Chapman undergraduate students in conducting research with faculty in the School of Science.
Five Beckman Scholars and their academic advisors attended the Wescom STEM Scholarship announcement.
“When I began my undergraduate career as a chemistry major here at Chapman University, I was very hesitant about whether I would be able to succeed in the science field,” says Beckman Scholar Emma Kosick ’22. “I had heard how difficult college STEM classes were, and I could never have imagined myself pursuing a graduate school education. But here at Chapman University, I had a lot of opportunities to help me establish my identity as a scientist and give me an early learning experience. I was very fortunate to have great professors and mentors who encouraged me to pursue research at every stage.”
Kosick works with Schmidt Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Faculty Development Christopher Kim, who is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania who studies the biochemistry of glaciers.
“I am only at the beginning of this journey, but I am now competent in my identity as a scientist, and I have to say that is largely due to the support from both the Beckman Foundation and Chapman,” Kosik said. he said.