Gift for UI IP Will Support Study Abroad in Asian-Speaking Countries
In today’s global society, an international perspective and the opportunity to experience other cultures is more important than ever as students prepare to become world citizens.
The University of Iowa Office for Study Abroad in International Programs and the Bedell World Citizenship Fund (BWCF), a family foundation in Spirit Lake, Iowa, are working together to help even more students travel and study in even more places around the world.
Derek Pendergast, Director of Development
A $50,000 gift commitment from the Bedell Foundation will benefit University of Iowa students who have an interest in studying in Asian-speaking countries.
The gift to the UI Foundation will endow the Bedell World Citizenship Fund Experience Asia Scholarship, which each year will support one or more scholarships for native Iowa students who travel to areas where Japanese, Chinese or Korean is the primary language. The scholarships will be administered through UI International Programs.
The Bedell Foundation was established by Tom and Molly Bedell and their family for the purpose of encouraging cultural, political, economic, spiritual and intellectual change toward a world of greater human kindness. BWCF’s funding goal is to support programs and initiatives that break down barriers of nationalism, ethnicity, economic and natural resource exploitation.
Tom Bedell’s nephew, Peter Sun, established the scholarship through the family foundation after completing an M.B.A. degree in the UI Henry B. Tippie College of Business in May 2007.
“Peter’s commitment to helping others is inspiring,” said William M. Reisinger, former associate provost and dean of International Programs. “Having tackled the challenges of learning in new cultures himself, Peter understands the personal growth that results, and he wants more University of Iowa students to have that opportunity. The UI appreciates his thoughtfulness—and the generosity of the Bedell family—in making a gift that will create excellent learning opportunities for students wishing to study in Asian-speaking countries.”
Sun said, “As a UI graduate, it is my privilege and obligation to give back to the University of Iowa. I strongly believe this scholarship will help broaden students’ global views and knowledge about Asian cultures and languages.”
The BWCF includes nine board members, all of whom are Bedell family members.
At International Programs, we believe that all UI students should have the opportunity to travel and study abroad, not only to become more familiar with other cultures, nations, views and beliefs, but to obtain a better understanding of their own culture, see the United States from a different perspective and take a closer look at where they come from in relation to where they are. Help us support this. Your donation can help us connect even more UI students to the rest of the world.
For more information, visit the fund's Web site.