FAQS
Not-so Frequently Asked Questions about the
2010-11 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
SCHOLARSHIP CAMPAIGN
What are the MPA program’s greatest needs?
The greatest need is always for MPA Alumni Scholarships. These awards provide up to $1,000 for tuition and fees for two semesters ($500 per semester) to qualified full-time MPA students. The award is renewable based on performance in the MPA program and potential as a future public manager. Out-of-state recipients qualify for in-state tuition with this competitive award..
How many students receive scholarships?
For the fall term, 22 students received MPA Alumni Scholarships. In addition, five students were selected as Hatton W. Sumners Scholars. All entering students who otherwise do not have a departmental scholarship are awarded a $200 incentive award for use toward tuition in their first semester. These awards are funded by the MPA Alumni Scholarship account. Our aggressive use of scholarship funds conveys our commitment to helping students succeed as continuing or future public servants. Our expectation is that, in turn, as alumni they will become regular supporters of the scholarship campaign.
How many alumni contribute to the MPA scholarship campaign?
Last year’s campaign set an all-time record of 209 alumni/friends and five corporations contributing over $39,000 in support of the department’s scholarships and awards. Since the inception of the annual scholarship campaign in 1992, alumni and friends have contributed $268,000. In addition, the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation continued its support for 10 scholarships of $20,000 each. The rate of participation among MPA alumni – approximately 40 percent over the 18-year period – is unequalled among departments at UNT and by most major universities.
How much of my contribution will be used to support the scholarship or award program that I designate?
Your gift – 100 percent of it – goes for the purpose that you designate. No contributed funds, including the cost of the annual MPA Alumni Golf Tournament, go for overhead costs incurred as part of the annual scholarship campaign. In order to maximize funding available to students, the campaign’s modest overhead costs – mostly for printing and mailing – are covered by the department’s operating budget.
I am asked to contribute for other purposes at UNT. Why should I contribute to the MPA scholarship campaign?
The most recent survey of MPA alumni revealed your dislike for being asked by numerous groups across campus for financial support. We don’t control who asks for your support so we appreciate that you continue to support the MPA program given so many choices. The MPA Alumni Advisory Board encourages you to give top priority to the MPA scholarship campaign in your giving decisions. The MPA program’s growing national stature gives added value to UNT’s reputation and to our MPA degree. We encourage you to invest in a sure winner – invest in your degree program.
What is the purpose of an endowed scholarship?
Endowed funds are usually set up by individuals or groups who want to honor or recognize a friend of one of the department’s programs. Only the earnings of the endowment, not to exceed 5 percent of the fund’s value, are available annually for distribution. If the investment market has performed poorly, as was the case for the past 18 months, a fund may have no income available for distribution. The recent survey of MPA alumni revealed a preference not to add additional endowments but to continue building the existing funds.
What endowments exist, and how do they benefit the MPA program?
Alumni and friends of the Department of Public Administration support five endowments (described below) that benefit one or more of the department’s academic programs: the bachelor’s in emergency administration and planning (EADP), MPA, and PhD. A sixth endowment, the Bland Professorship in Local Government, is administered by the College of Public Affairs and Community Service. Fundraising for this endowment is not intended to displace support for the MPA scholarship campaign.
• DEBRA BROOKS FEAZELLE INTERNSHIP AWARD. (794) Recipients complete an internship with a qualifying small city or nonprofit organization. The employer provides a partial match to the award. Interns receive this award as hourly compensation during the duration of their employment.
• E. RAY GRIFFIN SCHOLARSHIP. (306)Established in 1995 by former students of Dr. Griffin's, this endowed scholarship recognizes an exceptional MPA Alumni Scholar nearing completion of his or her degree. In addition to receiving an Alumni Scholarship, the Griffin Scholar also receives the income from the endowment, annually about $750.
• CHARLDEAN NEWELL AWARD. (652) Established in 2002 on her retirement after 37 years of service to UNT by friends and former students, this award honors Dr. Newell’s pioneering contributions to the study and practice of public administration. Income from this endowed account provides funding for professional development opportunities for MPA students.
• CHESTER A. NEWLAND COLLOQUIUM. (350)Established in 1996 by friends and former students, this endowed fund recognizes this noted scholar, public administrator, and former faculty member and departmental chair at UNT. Income from this endowment provides an honorarium for the speaker at the annual MPA Alumni-Student Luncheon.
• TOM JOSLIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP. (271)Established in 1998 in honor of one of the early faculty members in the Emergency Administration and Planning Program, income from this endowment, usually $1,000, recognizes an undergraduate EADP student for academic excellence.
What is the best way to give to the MPA scholarship campaign?
The university has set up three ways to make a contribution: by check, automatic withdrawal, or credit card. The easiest and increasingly preferred method is automatic withdrawal. Alumni donors find the monthly or periodic withdrawal a convenient and safe way to support the cause.
What is the goal of the 2010-11 MPA scholarship campaign?
At its September meeting, the MPA Alumni Advisory Board decided to set a gutsy challenge before alumni: 100 percent participation. We recognize that some alumni may be experiencing financial hardship due to the recession, but the board is asking that all alumni contribute to the 2010-11 campaign, even if only modestly, and help make the UNT MPA the first in the nation to achieve the distinction of 100% participation.