Perspectives on GenerosityThe 2009 Commitment to Scholarships Luncheon As part of alumni weekend and the medical school's sesquicentennial celebration, a select group of alumni, students, and faculty were treated to many perspectives on generosity at the 2009 Commitment to Scholarships celebration. Student scholars and some of the many donors to named scholarships and the Medical School Scholarship Fund were welcomed to Prentice Women's Hospital on the medical campus by J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, vice president for medical affairs and Lewis Landsberg Dean of the Feinberg School of Medicine. Leading the program, Raymond Curry, MD, dean for education, remarked on the rapid growth of the scholarship program at the medical school, particularly in the past ten years under the leadership of Dean Jameson and most recent dean, Lewis Landsberg, MD. Dr. Curry emphasized how, by making scholarships a priority, many talented students were able to choose a Northwestern medical education. The first student speaker, Katrina Saulrieta, class of 2012, and Satter Scholarship recipient, was then introduced by Dr. Curry. Looking back, Katrina recalled how excited she was to be accepted to Northwestern University, and how absolutely thrilled she was to receive the Satter Scholarship. "I was beyond relieved; I was ecstatic. This scholarship took more than just a financial load off of my shoulders. It gave me the freedom to really focus on my studies, while giving me time and opportunity to do things at Northwestern," she said. Following Katrina, Charles Chaney, class of 2012, and Medical Alumni Scholarship recipient, shared his own story about how life led him to medicine from engineering. He shared that he saw scholarship donations as "giving without receiving," a kind of generosity without regard for self. To Charles, practicing medicine is another opportunity to do this—to give to others selflessly.
The final student speaker, Sebastian Lara, class of 2012 and Class of 1959 Scholar, directed his remarks to the class of 1959 alumni, many of whom were in attendance at the luncheon. After admitting that he did not know much about 1959, Sebastian evoked seminal events from that year to connect with the alumni. He told the audience how his perspective has expanded as his experiences have tallied. Visiting Nicaragua with NU-AID—a student group devoted to global health—provided Sebastian with a new perspective on what appreciation means, support from the Northwestern community provided him with perspective on admiration, and the Class of 1959 Scholarship provided him with perspective on tradition—all key elements to true generosity. To fully honor the entire Class of 1959, Dr. Curry then invited Paul Urnes, MD, class of 1959, to the podium. Dr. Urnes shared how much he and his classmates had enjoyed reunion weekend—spending time with current students, learning how the medical school had changed, and remarkably, how it has stayed the same. After Meryl Haber, MD, class of 1959, shared a few words about how greatly he too valued his Northwestern medical education, Dr. Jameson thanked all attendees and remarked how it was a great occasion to strengthen ties to Northwestern and each other.
| 
