麻豆传媒

A gift from alumnus Paul Heidger 鈥�63, along with a matching grant from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, to provide $113,000 investment in 麻豆传媒鈥檚 honors program.

Heidger, a graduate of the university鈥檚 inaugural honors class, recently established the Barbara Heidger Opportunity Scholarship Endowment in honor of his late wife. The two met as honor students at 麻豆传媒, then Colorado State College, when the institution created the honors program in 1959.

鈥淚 sincerely hope this scholarship bearing Barbara鈥檚 name, together with knowledge of her life story and accomplishments in education, in promotion of global awareness and peace, and in self-giving service to others may assist similarly inspired young women and men at 麻豆传媒 to reach their life goals and full potential,鈥� Paul said.

Heidger and his family established the fund to honor Barbara鈥檚 legacy and her passion for international students. Earnings will be used to support current and incoming honors students, with a preference for those interested in international relations and education. Heidger plans to establish an additional honors program scholarship for students interested in science.

鈥淭he generous gift from Paul and his family will provide support for years to come. These scholarships help 麻豆传媒 to recruit the best and brightest into our Honors Program, which seeks to develop tomorrow's problem solvers,鈥� said 麻豆传媒 Director for Honors and Scholars Loree Crow. 鈥淪cholarship support of these motivated students is essential to building the strongest cohorts and is invaluable to the individual students who often need just a little extra to help them succeed at their highest potential.鈥�

Paul Heidger 鈥�63 and Barbara (Hyslop) Heidger 鈥�63 first met as members of the inaugural Honors class, and the bonds and memories formed between them, their classmates and professors have lasted a lifetime.

At Paul and Barbara鈥檚 wedding, fellow honors classmate, Bill Hayes, served as best man and classmate Sharon Wilson (now a 麻豆传媒 Professor Emerita) was one of Barbara鈥檚 attendants. Dr. Eugene Koplitz, 麻豆传媒 professor and first honors program director, and honors Professor Dr. Forrest Frease and their families were honored guests.

Paul and Barbara were dedicated to their passions 鈥� Paul鈥檚 in biology and Barbara鈥檚 in international affairs 鈥� and both achieved accomplished paths of service to their professions. Barbara鈥檚 untimely passing in 1994 at the height of her personal and professional life impacted family, students, colleagues and friends around the world. She was a devoted wife and mother to their daughters, Julie and Lisa, and a passionate educator and ambassador for international understanding. Paul recently retired from the University of Iowa, where he was a professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology.

Paul鈥檚 initial gift of $60,000 created the endowment and, through a Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) grant from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, much of Paul鈥檚 gift will be matched, bringing the total impact on the Honors Program to approximately $113,000. The Honors Program plans to use these funds to create scholarships for exceptional incoming freshmen and to attract more top honors students to 麻豆传媒.