The Impact on Students

Growing future leaders

If a gene for enthusiasm exists, Melinda Buck must possess a particularly potent version of it. After signing on as president of the Genetics, Cell Biology and Development Club, she used her "can do" attitude to boost attendance from a handful to nearly 20 members.

Not surprisingly, Buck's enthusiasm extends to the classroom and lab. She's currently researching cancer genetics, and hopes someday to work as a genetic counselor in the biotechnology industry. Thanks to a scholarship, Buck not only has time to study, conduct research, and lead the student club, she also sings in the U gospel choir and occasionally serves meals to low-income people. Without the scholarship, Buck admits, she'd probably have to spend much of her time working jobs that had little to do with school. "I wouldn't be as active, and my grades wouldn't be as good."

Learn how gifts like yours impact faculty, research and outreach at the U.

Faculty: Endowed faculty positions increase the U's ability to attract top students and recruit and retain world-class faculty.

Research: For the first time, University of Minnesota researchers have secured over half a billion dollars in research funding in a single year.

Outreach: University Libraries lends more books to other libraries than any other academic library in the nation. That mission has been assisted through the generosity of private support.