DONORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Donors Make a Difference The Fulbright Finland Centennial Fund campaign was launched in 2016 to honor
Centennial Fund has also been generously
the 100th anniversary of Finland’s independence. The goal was to create new part-
supported by Fulbright Finland alumni JY
nerships and raise funds and friends in order to significantly expand exchanges
Zhu and Patrick Miller. A sincere thank
between Finland and the United States and to bring together the best scientists,
you also to the American alumni who
academics, educators, artists, and future leaders in the two countries.
have recently sent in gifts to the Friends of Fulbright Finland (FoFF) Alumni
Half way through the 4-year campaign it
conveys a sincere thank you to all
Enrichment Fund: Philip
has already materialized into significant
its recent donors. The Foundation is
Marlene Broemer, Nancy Commins, Kay
new partnership agreements, pledges and
particularly pleased to recognize those
Kohl, Edwin M. Loovis, David C. Major
in-kind support as well as direct dona-
persons
and Patricia Hart, and Karen Martin.
tions. A remarkable and historic contribu-
qualify them as founding members of
On this page, two of Fulbright Fin-
tion to the campaign was the Centennial
the Fulbright Finland Centennial Fund:
land’s alumni donors reflect on the Ful-
Gift of the United States to Finland, a half
Charles C. Adams, Jr., BJ Deering and
bright impact and their reasons to give to
million dollars from the U.S. Congress to
Jay Gillette, Kirsi Komi, Peter MacKeith,
Fulbright Finland.
the Fulbright Finland Foundation.
Bhaskar Rao, James Stock, Juhani Talvia,
The Fulbright Finland Foundation
whose
generous
donations
Alperson,
Carol Tenopir and Gerald Lundeen. The
Inspiring Alumni Support Supporting people who are expanding international cooperation is in itself an important and rewarding endeavor.
University mergers have become a frequent occurrence in the United States and Europe as institutions seek to strengthen their research and innovation capabilities. As a Fulbright scholar interested in comparative higher education issues, I was fortunate to spend a few months in 2010-‐2011, at the new Aalto University. The University was the result of a very carefully planned merger of three prestigious Finnish institutions: the University of Art and Design in Helsinki, the Hel-
Fulbright Finland helps maintain
land’s centennial year, it’s an opportune
sinki School of Economics, and the Hel-
valued ties between Fulbright schol-
time to involve more Fulbright alumni
sinki University of Technology.
ars in Finland and the United States. For
in both Finland and the United States in
From the outset, the expectation of
instance, a project grant can enable Ful-
Fulbright Finland. The goal is to increase
key University constituencies – students,
bright alumni from our two countries
the amount of financial aid available to
enterprises, and government – was that
to collaborate on a project of concern
alumni for special projects.
Aalto University would be an important
to both nations, such as sustainabil-
Supporting people who are expanding
source of innovation for Finland. Incor-
ity. Meanwhile an individual grant may
international cooperation is in itself an
porating perspectives of diverse disci-
give a Fulbright alum the opportunity to
important and rewarding endeavor.
plines was viewed as critical to developing
update exceptional work begun abroad
innovations that could help drive the
years earlier. So it’s not surprising why
country’s growth, create jobs, and expand
such endeavors inspire alumni support
Kay Kohl
exports in a global knowledge economy.
of Fulbright Finland. This being Fin-
Fulbright-Schuman Scholar 2010-2011
Supporting the Next Generation
Senator Fulbright’s vision for the Fulbright
designers and artists in their creative edu-
Programs was one of “peace through
cation and lives through my scholarship
international education.” This is both
gift to the Fulbright Finland Foundation,
an eternal and a timely vision, as neces-
and I encourage others in similar positions
sary now as it was following World War
to consider making their gift, as well.
II. As a beneficiary of a Fulbright Finland Fellowship - one which transformed my
Peter MacKeith
education and work – I am grateful to the
Dean and Professor of Architecture
Fulbright Finland Foundation for their
Fay Jones School of Architecture and
support of me at an important moment
Design, University of Arkansas
in my life. As a Fulbright Finland Ambassador, I am happy that I can now in turn
Photo: Washington University in St. Louis
support the next generation of Finnish
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