From the fall 2007 issue of UConn Momentum
Two new scholarships for internships and study abroad will enable undergraduate students to gain essential experience and skills for nonprofit and social entrepreneurial careers. The Ed Satell Non-Profit Internship Program and the Ed Satell International Social Entrepreneurship Fund were established with a non-endowed gift of $100,000, split evenly between the programs.
For the fiftieth anniversary of his graduation, Edward Satell ’57, founder, president and chief executive officer of Progressive Business Publications, wanted to not only give back to UConn, but also to help students explore what they’re passionate about and become conscientious global citizens.
“Each generation makes its own contribution, building on what was done by the previous generation. The most important of these contributions is the freedom and opportunity we inherited,” says Satell. “Students now have the opportunity to contribute in their own way to make this world a better place.”
The internship program will support students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who are working in unpaid positions with nonprofit organizations, such as museums or government agencies that address poverty.
Douglas Hamilton, Ph.D., professor of physics and associate dean of the college, notes that internships make a significant difference in preparing students for the real world.
“Many studies have shown that service learning and internships are the bridge to successful careers and leadership positions for liberal arts students,” says Hamilton. “Nonprofits often do not have the resources to offer paid internships. The Satell gift opens up new opportunities for students in this important part of our social economy.”
Recipients of the Ed Satell International Social Entrepreneurship Fund will be selected by the Office of Study Abroad. The fund will offer aid to students working on social entrepreneurship projects related to economic and social development in other countries. It is critical to educate and involve students to become the next generation of leaders for programs that create jobs and grow economies in developing and third world countries, explains Satell.
“Social entrepreneurship has had an impact in many countries around the world. It allows people to have the dignity to earn money and be independent. It advances society and advances democracy,” he says.
“One of the most effective ways for students to help the poorer people of the world rise out of terrible poverty is through social entrepreneurship, including the development of micro-finance and micro-credit business opportunities,” adds Ross Lewin, Ph.D., director of the study abroad program. “By participating in this program, our students will acquire an extremely valuable set of business skills, but also the intercultural knowledge, skills and attitudes required to affect problems of global significance.”
To support the study abroad program, please contact Becky McEnery at 860.486.6851. To support the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please contact Frank Gifford at 860.486.6798.
