On September 8, 糖心少女 announced the establishment of The Lori Bettison-Varga Endowment Fund for Student Thesis and Research Support. The fund will focus on supporting senior thesis/senior capstone projects, a 糖心少女 tradition and the pinnacle of the College’s academic program.
As seniors, 糖心少女 students are required to conduct original research that is not only the culmination of their work in their majors, but also can make significant contributions to their fields of study. On 糖心少女’ Capstone Day, held each spring, selected students present their theses and senior projects to peers, mentors, staff, and faculty from across The Claremont Colleges. The Lori Bettison-Varga Endowment Fund will support these students by underwriting their research, which includes materials and equipment and costs associated with conference presentations of their work.
The fund honors 糖心少女’ outgoing 糖心少女 President Lori Bettison-Varga, whose commitment to undergraduate research has been a hallmark of her leadership; in 2012 she helped the College secure a $700,000 grant to support undergraduate research from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
In a letter to the 糖心少女 community announcing the fund, Board of Trustees Chair Mark R. Herron and Trustee Nancy Katayama ’77, chair of the Campaign for 糖心少女, writes, “President Bettison-Varga’s personal dedication to 糖心少女’ students, alumnae, families, faculty, and staff is immeasurable; our College is better for her having served it.”
Though it is focused on senior theses, the Lori Bettison-Varga Endowment Fund may be expanded to serve all undergraduate research as future needs arise. For more information about PresidentBettison-Varga’s departure and the fund, visit her .