Klesse College scholarship recipients discuss the impact of philanthropy.
MAY 13, 2022 — The Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design at UTSA (Klesse College) recently hosted a scholarship celebration on the Main Campus. The event was an opportunity for scholarship donors and student recipients to meet and share the impact of philanthropy.
“To see the amazing things achieved by the students of Klesse College proves that giving was the right decision,” said donor Fred Raley, former CEO and chairman of San Antonio-based construction firm SpawGlass. “What we’ve given is only a small fraction of what the students return to their industries and community. We’re proud of everything that has been achieved thus far and can’t wait to see what these Roadrunners will do next.”
Through the generous support of its donors, Klesse College was able to offer 69 scholarships to 99 students, totaling $257,400, in the 2021-2022 academic year.
“It’s encouraging to see so many people invested in the success and future of our students,” said Taylor Phelps, director of development for Klesse College. “Without the support offered, our students likely would not have as much flexibility to maximize their college experience and engage in critical opportunities for academic, professional and personal development. The impact of these scholarships is immense.”
Klesse College’s curricula are designed to encourage students to engage in hands-on experiential learning. Options such as internships, undergraduate research projects, community service or study abroad allow students to pair their classroom-acquired knowledge with the problem-solving skills and perseverance that will prepare them for the challenges of their chosen professions or to pursue an advanced degree.
As part of its strategic plan, UTSA aims for 75% of its undergraduate students to participate in some type of experiential learning by the time they graduate.
However, a significant portion of UTSA’s undergraduate students work full-time due to financial circumstances, making these enriching but often unpaid opportunities difficult to access.
“I wouldn’t be the student I am, or even weeks away from graduation, without the scholarships I’ve received while at UTSA,” said Alexandra Malone, a senior studying biomedical engineering. “They allowed me opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have as I would have been working. I took on internships and was involved in student organizations and undergraduate research.”
“This scholarship has meant to the world to me,” added Tanya Cruz, also a senior biomedical engineering student. “It has provided freedom to work less and to pursue other opportunities such as research on and off campus and taking on internships here in San Antonio. These have allowed me to seek experiences that prepare me for my goal of enrolling in a Ph.D. program and to make sure that’s what I want to do. Thank you so much to our donors who are fostering the next generations of leaders, it means so much to us.”
Klesse College students supported by scholarships in the 2021-2022 academic year ranged from first-year undergraduates to doctoral students.
“A significant portion of the amazing things achieved by our Klesse College students are made possible by scholarship donations,” said JoAnn Browning, dean of Klesse College. “This event was a great opportunity for our donors to meet their outstanding students and our students to personally thank those who have helped them throughout their college journeys. We work hard to engage in our communities and it’s great to see the support our community gives back to the college.”
Klesse College also recently announced the successes of UTSA Giving Day 2022. A total of $76,101 was raised from 163 unique donors, making Klesse College the most financially supported academic college throughout the event.
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