DePaul University has announced a new scholarship program funded by a $10 million donation from the Sue Ling Gin Foundation. The program, named the Sue Gin Scholars Initiative, aims to provide financial support and recognition to incoming undergraduates, with a focus on first-generation college students. This initiative aligns with DePaul's Vincentian mission of making higher education accessible to all.
The gift will also fund a Sue Gin Student Success Director position at DePaul, responsible for providing personalized coaching and mentoring to scholars. Additionally, the funding will aid in recruiting cohorts and facilitating campus visits for out-of-state students who may lack the financial means to travel.
"Sue Gin embodied the spirit that animates DePaul," said DePaul President Robert L. Manuel. "This landmark gift will open doors of opportunity for DePaul students today and for generations to come, honoring her extraordinary life and legacy."
Sue Gin Scholars will have access to experiential learning opportunities such as community service, study abroad programs, internships, on-campus research, and extracurricular activities. These opportunities aim to improve retention rates and help close the achievement gap in higher education.
Kimberlie L. Goldsberry, interim vice president of DePaul’s Division of Student Affairs, emphasized the comprehensive support provided by the initiative: "From recruitment to their first day at DePaul to graduation, Sue Gin Scholars will receive the support and resources necessary to thrive on campus and in their future careers."
Sue Ling Gin was known for her entrepreneurial success as founder of Flying Food Group in 1983 and her significant contributions as a member of DePaul's Board of Trustees from 1993 until her passing in 2014. She played a crucial role in securing funding for science buildings on DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus.
David Cotton, CEO of Flying Food Group and trustee of the Sue Ling Gin Foundation, remarked on maintaining Gin's legacy: "Sue was a remarkable individual who never stopped innovating and making a difference... It is our mission to maintain her legacy by giving to institutions where the example she set continues to inspire others in perpetuity."
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