When Associate Professor of Biology Glen Wurst spent his sabbatical at Johns Hopkins University four years ago, he was impressed by the breadth of experience and worldliness that the international students there brought to the campus community. When he returned to Allegheny, he wanted to help expand the diversity of Allegheny's campus by making it possible for greater numbers of international students to attend the College.
"International students bring a cosmopolitan flavor and a diverse worldview to campus," Wurst explains. "And it's important that Allegheny, as a liberal arts institution, exposes its students to a diverse array of perspectives - not only so they can learn about those differences, but more importantly, to realize that there are many ways to make sense of the world and our place in it."
To reach this goal, Wurst has pledged $130,000 over five years to the College to provide financial aid for international students to attend Allegheny. The Melvin and Miriam Wurst International Student Scholarship will provide $10,000 each year to two international students for financial aid.
In the current academic year, 27 international students, representing 14 non-U.S. countries, are currently enrolled at Allegheny College. Benefiting from an enrollment of between 25 and 30 international students each year for the past decade, the College has also promoted its appreciation for international students' perspectives to ensure an atmosphere of openness.
"We exist in a global community where there are many issues that follow no human demarcations, like borders or language differences," explains Danuta Majchrowicz, director of international student services at Allegheny. "Having students from around the world brings different perspectives to campus as well as the reminder that we are all products of culture and larger systems."
But obstacles exist that international students must face in attending Allegheny - and most of those include financial concerns. Now Dr. Wurst, through his quiet philanthropy, is ensuring that international students can attend Allegheny, bringing a greater diversity and vitality to the campus community.
"I give because I want to support what I believe is a worthy institution doing very good things with and for its students," he says. "And I give to this particular endeavor because I would like to help worthy people from difficult circumstances to make the most of their abilities."
From the Other Side of the World
Literally coming to a new world, many international students must travel a long way both geographically and culturally to arrive at Allegheny. Although she admits she had difficulty with the language at first, senior psychology major Iulia Grigoras of Romania found Allegheny to be the "perfect microcosm of American culture" for international students.
"The small size of Allegheny is the best choice for any international student," she explains. "There is still some culture shock, but Allegheny makes the transition easier." Allegheny's rural setting, for example, facilitates a focus on academic life, and the College offers programs and services that promote the educational, cultural and personal growth of all students, such as close student-faculty interaction."
