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McPherson gives
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Peter McPherson will donate $25,000 back to the
University to help support two programs with ambitious
international goals.
He has designated $15,000 for scholarships to study
abroad for students in the College Academic Achievement
Program (CAAP), which serves first-generation and low-income
MSU students, and $10,000 in support for the SOuthern
Astrophysical Research (SOAR) telescope project in
Chile.
This is the second consecutive year that McPherson has
donated $25,000 back to his alma mater for specifically
designated purposes. Last year, he allocated it to a campus
beautification project.
"Both CAAP and the SOAR project represent the kind of
internationally connected educational and outreach programs
that help define MSU," said McPherson, noting that he and
MSU's first lady, Joanne McPherson, consider it a privilege
to be able to give back to a University that they support
both professionally and personally.
"Joanne and I think it is very important that all MSU
students see a study abroad experience as not only a
possible endeavor but as a natural self-expectation," he
said. "These funds, we think, will support and stimulate
students to see study abroad in that light.
"Joanne and I also are pleased to contribute toward the
SOAR project, which will enhance MSU's stature in the
international observational astronomy community, stimulate
student interest on campus and serve the people of Michigan
in a variety of ways."
CAAP, under the auspices of MSU's Office of Supportive
Services, helps students who may be the first in their
families to attend college, who are from low-income
families, or who meet other criteria that pose challenges to
the achievement of a college degree. It provides mentoring,
advising and other services to help the students achieve
their academic goals.
The services range from a 12-week freshman orientation
seminar, which helps new CAAP students adjust to University
life, to a special resident fellows program. More
information about the program can be accessed on the Web at:
oss.msu.edu
The SOAR project teams MSU with others around the world
to build and operate a high-resolution telescope that will
bring the wonders of the universe to astronomers and their
students at MSU and throughout Michigan. Currently being
built near La Serena in the clear-aired mountains of Chile,
the SOAR telescope will be the most advanced optical
telescope of its kind.
The computer-controlled, four-meter telescope will gather
images in the infrared region. This will allow astronomers
and students the opportunity to witness the birth of stars
and galaxies and search for planets orbiting nearby
stars.
Joining MSU in the SOAR project are the University of
North Carolina, the National Optical Astronomy Observatories
and the country of Brazil. The nation of Chile is a de facto
partner.
Ground was broken for the project in April 1998.
Officials are targeting October 2002 for the SOAR telescope
to begin capturing its first images.
Additional information is available on the SOAR Web site at: www.pa.msu.edu/soarmsu/