Stamps Scholars from across the nation to converge at Purdue

October 13, 2016

WEST LAFAYETTE, In. (PURDUE) -- The Purdue Honors College will bring together 46 Stamps Scholars from across the nation as it hosts Igniting Curiosity: A Stamps Symposium Oct. 21-23. The event is only the third of its kind for the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation and its partner universities.

The Stamps Scholars program offers full-ride merit scholarships to help exceptional students become meaningful leaders in society. It also offers funds for enrichment activities like study abroad, academic conferences and leadership training. Purdue University has 28 Stamps Scholars. Nationally, there are 918 Stamps Scholars representing 41 different universities and colleges. The Stamps Family Charitable Foundation and its partner schools evenly share the costs of the awards.

Igniting Curiosity: A Stamps Symposium is designed to immerse scholars in a collaborative environment and to foster the interdisciplinary exchange of ideas. Scholars representing institutions such as Louisiana State University, Ohio State, the University of Illinois, Mercer University, Barry University, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech and Elizabethtown College will attend morning break-out sessions and a variety of experiential learning opportunities in the afternoon.

“I always find it exciting when Stamps Scholars from across the country get together, and I am especially interested to see what ideas get sparked at Purdue’s event,” Randy McDow, executive director of the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation said. “Purdue has truly been an excellent partner with us ever since we started working with the university in 2011.”

Organizers crafted the sessions to pique a wide range of interests. Among the offerings, students will explore rollercoaster dynamics, digging into mechanical simulations of ride design. Another session will have them in design-mode, discussing sustainability while using recycled paper bags to create a giant inflatable. They will also learn more about the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

“As a chair for the symposium, I had the pleasure of crafting ideas for some of the sessions we are hosting,” Purdue Stamps Scholar Emma Alexander and a six-year member of BBBS said. “Big Brothers Big Sisters has been close to my heart for many years and I can sincerely say that my experience as a mentor has entirely transformed my life. I have not only had the opportunity to learn and grow from interacting with my little sister, but I have also been able to witness the remarkable impact I can have on the life of another.”

Visiting Stamps Scholars will be paired with an unmatched BBBS sibling from the greater Lafayette area. Together, the scholar and “little” will complete activities and exercises designed to build leadership skills. Alexander hopes it will inspire some scholars to become a “big” and join the program.

Continuing with the theme of giving back, Purdue University is asking each scholar to bring a new children’s book or adult coloring book to the symposium. Those books will be donated to two local non-profits, Lafayette Urban Ministry and Friendship House.

“It was important to me that we that we had an element of service in the symposium,” Catharine Patrone, senior director of academic and student affairs at the Purdue Honors College said. “Service is an important arm of the Stamps program. Scholars know they have a duty to use their skills and talents to help address important issues where they live and work.”

The Stamps Scholars program launched in 2006, when Penny and Roe Stamps created merit scholarship programs for undergraduates at their alma maters— the University of Michigan and Georgia Tech.

“Roe and Penny selected us because they saw something in us,” Alexander said. “They thought we had the potential to impact our communities, to change the world. By providing for our education in its entirety, they empower us to go out and give back.”