Alumni Group Gives More Than Scholarships

Walter Dawson, a member of IUAAL Scholarship Committee, left, and Mary Ann Kitrosser, president of IUAAL, right, give two $5,000 checks to Jim Bleck, CEO of the Merrimack Valley Venture Forum at the association's membership breakfast. The grant money will fund two interns.

What do an electro-spinning display at the American Textile Museum, an infra-red drying analyzer and a marketing intern for the Merrimack Valley Venture Forum have in common? They are three of six projects funded this year by grants from the Independent University Alumni Association at Lowell, a group best known for awarding student scholarships.

The 61-year-old non-profit organization, which operates independently from the University, gave a total of $22,500 to the six projects, which were chosen from 24 requests from across the University. The 2008 grants also included money for student assistants in the psychology and education departments and support for a music notation software program in the Music Department.

The IUAAL also awarded 78 students a total of $85,000 last fall, using funds generated from its $5.5 million Alumni Endowment Fund.

George Duggan, chairman of the Scholarships and Grant Committee, said the variety of the projects his organization supports is a source of great pride.

“These are not just projects from the technical side of the University,” says Duggan. “The Music Department in particular has submitted some very innovative requests over the years."

The IUAAL has officially awarded grants since 2002, using proceeds from the Alumni Endowment Fund and the New England Textile Foundation endowment. Proposals are solicited starting in September with awards given out at the start of the spring semester.

Student scholarship winners, grant recipients and a distinguished alumni are honored at the organization’s annual dinner in the spring. One year, attendees were entertained by music students playing the University’s brand new marimba, which was funded through a IUAAL grant.

“It was a great way for our members to see what the grants are supporting,” says Duggan. “And we really enjoyed the music.”

Proposals funded:

• “The Teaching Research, Development and Improvement Group,” James Carifio, Education, and Richard Siegal, Psychology; $1,500 for student technical/research assistants.
• “American Textile Museum,” Linda Carpenter; $2,500 for students to construct an electro-spinning diplay.
• “Plastics Engineering Department,” Steve Orroth and Nick Schott, Plastics Engineering; $6,000 for a High Performance Infrared Loss-On Drying analyzer and related equipment.
• “Merrimack Valley Venture Forum,” Kathy Carter, Management; $5,000 for student intern assisting in marketing efforts.
• “Merrimack Valley Venture Forum,” Kathy Carter, Management; $5,000 for student intern assisting in accounting efforts.
• “Establish a Music Notation Software Program,” Jon Wheatley and Rick Schilling, Music; $2,500 for equipment and student worker.