The scholarship program has been a Washington University tradition since 1872, and its importance has never been more vital. In the last fiscal year, donors generously gave $1.6 million for scholarships in the Sam Fox School. We now have a total of 198 named scholarships supporting an incredible range of students across all of our programs.
For many of those students, scholarships have paved the way to pursue dreams that may not otherwise have been feasible.
Below you can check out some of the stories of students who have been helped by scholarship support, as well as alumni and friends of the Sam Fox School who have committed themselves to providing that support.
Student Scholarship Profiles
Annual Fund and Endowment Support
Scholarship gifts allow the most creative, imaginative, and academically gifted students to attend the Sam Fox School—regardless of their ability to pay. Annual fund and endowment support are unique, and both are critical to the success of the school.
Annual Fund
An expendable account used by the dean and directors of the Sam Fox School to help fill the ever-growing need for scholarships on a year-by-year basis. Each year this fund starts at $0 and depends on the generosity of many to reach funding goals. Annual scholarship support is welcomed at any level, and individuals can name an annual scholarship with a gift of $10,000 or more.
Endowment
An endowed scholarship can be established with a minimum gift of $250,000, creating a long-term, interest-bearing account that will grow over time while also providing a reliable source of revenue on an annual basis. These gifts can be a one-time investment, pledged to pay over time, or included in an estate plan.
Sam Fox Ambassadors Graduate Fellowship
The Sam Fox Ambassadors Graduate Fellowship Program, which welcomed its inaugural class in fall 2020, provides full-tuition waivers and accompanying travel stipends, as well as unique academic and professional opportunities, for 10 applicants each year, across all of the School’s graduate programs.
Elizabeth S. Schmerling Endowed Scholarship
The Elizabeth S. Schmerling Endowed Scholarship was established in memory of Elizabeth Schmerling, who graduated from Washington University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. This award provides financial support for talented rising seniors who are on track to earn a bachelor’s degree in architecture.
Jeffrey Frank Wacks Scholarship
The Jeffrey Frank Wacks Scholarship was established in memory of Jeffrey Wacks, an accomplished artist and musician who graduated from Washington University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Painting. The award provides financial support for talented students graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, Communication Design, and Fashion Design.
If you would like to discuss Sam Fox School gift and naming opportunities, receive information about bequests and other planned gifts, or participate in donor recognition programs, please contact:
Sarah Sligo
Senior Director of Advancement
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
Washington University in St. Louis
314-935-5887
sligo@wustl.edu
