Newswise — Saint Joseph’s University and Anne Welsh McNulty have joined to create an innovative program to inspire young women to strive for leadership roles in science and math. The John P. McNulty Scholars Program for Excellence in Science and Math will not only provide full-tuition scholarships but will seek to create a challenging environment designed to help bright young women reach the top ranks of the science and math professions.
“We are looking for those young women who dare to be the best--we want to encourage and expand their vision and create an ongoing community of fellowship for the McNulty Scholars,” says McNulty, a former managing director of Goldman Sachs whose generous support of this program honors her late husband, alumnus John P. McNulty ’74. “John exuded energy, creativity and ambition. Through this program we hope to ignite the same extraordinary spirit in others.” Each year, the program will award three highly qualified freshman women a four-year, full-tuition, merit-based scholarship.
The inaugural McNulty Scholars include Kim Nguyen of Allentown, Pa., Maura Southwell of Philadelphia, Pa. and Corinna Noel of New Paltz, NY. “We look forward to welcoming this first class of McNulty Scholars” said Julia Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology and one of the program’s mentors. “These women will set the bar for their peers and for future Scholars.”
The program will combine mentorship, summer research opportunities, professional internships, a senior capstone experience, networking and professional development and marketing and communication skills, which will prepare the McNulty Scholars for these highly competitive fields.
“John was a firm believer in the power of women to achieve greatness in their chosen fields,” says McNulty, whose family is deeply rooted in the fields of math and engineering. “He inspired them to take risks, and challenged them to tackle problems creatively and enthusiastically.”
Alumnus John P. McNulty ’74 is remembered for his leadership at Goldman Sachs, where he headed the Investment Management Division and served as a member of the Management Committee. He is also known for his leadership in philanthropy, especially his dedication to Saint Joseph’s University. An undergraduate accounting major, John served as student body president and later became a respected member of the Saint Joseph’s University Board of Trustees, managing the University endowment and leading the formation of the New York Council of SJU alumni, parents and friends. Throughout his lifetime, he consistently sought to mentor younger associates and to challenge women to achieve their fullest potential.
“Anyone who was blessed to have known John knows that in the true spirit of the Magis, he was in constant pursuit of excellence,” notes University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. “We are grateful to Anne for choosing to honor John in a way that recognizes his vitality and leadership, and at the same time provides tremendous opportunities for talented women to embark on their own pursuit of excellence in the fields of science and math.”
Saint Joseph’s has been dedicated to creating a culture that nurtures women’s professional success. Female SJU students are pursuing higher-level academic and professional activities in increasing numbers and earned nearly 50 percent of undergraduate math, science and technology degrees awarded by the University between 2004 and 2008.
William Madges, PhD, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, sees additional benefits in the program. “It promises to provide a significant benefit to our region and the nation by educating women who will become leaders in science, mathematics and computer science and who will in turn mentor and support succeeding generations of women in those fields,” Madges said. “The ‘pay it forward’ aspect is not only a fitting tribute to John McNulty, but provides a tremendous service opportunity for our students.”
Getting hands-on experience is a critical component of the program. “The McNulty Scholars will engage in full-time, faculty-mentored research on a project in the area of mathematics, computer science or one of the natural sciences,” explains Michael P. McCann, Ph.D., associate dean, mathematics, natural and computer sciences and scholarship orogram director. “They will also participate in corporate-subsidized internships in various private-sector industry, business or research and development settings.”
Background: Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851, Saint Joseph's University advances the professional and personal ambitions of men and women by providing a demanding, yet supportive, educational experience. One of only 129 schools with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and AACSB business school accreditation, Saint Joseph's is home to 4,500 full-time undergraduates and 3,200 graduate, part-time and doctoral students. Steeped in the 450-year Jesuit tradition of scholarship and service, Saint Joseph's was named to the 2008 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for General Community Service. The University strives to be recognized as the preeminent Catholic comprehensive university in the Northeast.
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