Meet a Paying It Forward Donor and Recipient
The Alumni Association Paying It Forward Scholarship is a tangible way to reduce student debt. Paying It Forward Scholarship donations of $10,500 are double-matched by the Alumni Association and the School of Medicine to create a scholarship of $31,500 (approximately 50% of tuition and fees for one academic year) for a junior or senior medical student. Additionally, the alumni donor has the opportunity to mentor the student who receives their gift. Anton N. Hasso ’67 and Joyce McRae ’21 were among the first round of donors and recipients, here are there thoughts on the scholarship program:
Why did you decide to sponsor a Paying It Forward Scholarship?
Anton N. Hasso ’67: Having graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine nearly 55 years ago, I have happily reached the mentoring and giving stages in my life. To combine these two stages, there is no better way to both help medical students achieve their goals and support my alma mater than that offered by the Paying It Forward scholarship program. This campaign adds the benefit of offering continuous support to one or more students, helping them through graduation and beyond in their own choice of medical specialties and a chance to connect with that student. Caring for, connecting with, and mentoring these students through the Alumni Association enhances and promotes Loma Linda University’s motto, “To make man whole,” by relieving some of the burden of financial debt. Showing kindness and generosity is a virtue in itself and gives me great satisfaction.
What has receiving a Paying It Forward Scholarship allowed you to do?
Joyce McRae ’21: There are innumerable ways that being a recipient of the Paying It Forward Scholarship program has blessed me. One, the immediate financial benefit of being able to return nearly half of my student loans for my final year of medical school brought monetary relief, but also an alleviation of the stress associated with the many details that concluding a degree entails. I was able to immediately turn my focus to preparing financially for residency and begin to save for an emergency fund and ensure housing arrangements. Two, it allowed me to connect with a generous alumni mentor who has encouraged me in my career pursuits even though we are in different specialties. Three, it will ensure that I will stay connected to Loma Linda University School of Medicine and have a posture of generosity toward a future student as I will have the ability to support them both financially and emotionally due to the opportunity given me through this scholarship.
