(This article first appeared in the Andrew Carnegie Society News, Spring 2005.)
Shortly after the names of the 36 Andrew Carnegie Society (ACS) Scholars were announced last fall, the students gathered at their first function, marking the beginning of a yearlong journey of opportunity and generosity.
Every year a student is chosen from each department in the university to receive a scholarship to be used to further an educational pursuit. This affords them the opportunity to travel and attend various conferences and events.
The Scholars are also collectively given an additional award that they use to fund a gift to the university. This year the amount of the group award was increased from $100 to $200 per Scholar for a total of $7,200.
The students have proposed two exciting projects to serve as their collective gift. First they are working with Vice President Michael Murphy, former dean of Student Affairs, to buy and install benches to be placed along the Cut, between the columns of the University Center and the Purnell Center for the Arts. These benches would serve not only as places for students to sit, but as storage bins for sports equipment that will be made available to students on an honor system. Frisbees, footballs and soccer balls would be available, so that students could use them whenever they choose.
For the second project, the scholars have decided to support and enhance Carnegie Mellon's environmentally friendly campus. Projects such as the construction of the New House residence hall and the green roof on the Henderson House dorm inspired the students to find another location where a green roof could be constructed. They found a suitable location on top of a loading dock, which is visible from several areas of campus. A green roof reduces the energy needed for cooling and heating, protects the roof's structural elements from ultraviolet (UV) rays, extends the life of the roof and lowers storm water waste streams.
The students will now work with members of the Andrew Carnegie Society and with faculty and staff to see these projects come to fruition.
Related Link:
Andrew Carnegie Society
