Bishop Noll alums give back to their alma mater in a variety of ways. While their reasons for giving back are many, one underlying belief remains constant: They wish to see the next generation of BNI students have the opportunity to achieve academic success and experience a bright future beyond BNI.
Recently, a group of friends from the Class of 1963 have taken their support of BNI students one step further. Dr. Jeffrey S. Kristoff, Dr. Richard P. Schreiner, and Ms.Wallene M. Swentko have established a perpetual Bishop Noll Institute Scholarship Endowment at Purdue University, West Lafayette. The scholarship idea resulted from their continued friendship with one another, as well as a renewed involvement with BNI after their 50th class reunion in 2013.
Upon learning that Bishop Noll would be introducing a STEM curriculum (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in the fall of 2015, and realizing that many academically talented students often lack the resources to attend college, the idea of supporting the success of BNI students beyond high school was born.
“We wanted to assist those BNI students in need of financial aid who pursue a STEM discipline. It was an opportunity for us, and hopefully other BNI graduates who contribute to the endowment, to assist Noll students for many, many years,” said Kristoff. In addition Kristoff, a 1968 graduate of Purdue University, said, “we hope that those students who may be involved will not only have very successful careers but likewise assist others in need during their lives.”
At Bishop Noll, incoming freshmen will experience integrated STEM themes in all of their core classes. The remaining student body will experience STEM themes over time, as classes and themes will be continually added to the curriculum.
One Bishop Noll graduate from the Class of 2016, who will be attending Purdue in West Lafayette and majoring in a STEM discipline, will have the first opportunity to apply for the Bishop Noll Institute Scholarship. Those wishing to make a donation to the BNI Endowment Scholarship Fund may contact Mary Ellen O’Neill, Director of Advancement at BNI, moneill@bishopnoll.org, or Dr. Jeffrey Kristoff at jsk1sc@gmail.com.
