Student success is at the heart of the College of Science and Mathematics. By providing opportunities for undergraduate research and hands-on experiential learning, we equip our students with the skills they need to excel in the workplace. These life-changing moments are greatly enhanced through the generosity of our many donors, like Dale True ’76, who recognize the need to provide experiences outside of the classroom where students can hone their skills and pursue their passions.
In 2014, True established the Dale Alan True Experiential Learning in Biology Endowment, a scholarship fund that helps students pay expenses related to experiential learning opportunities both on and off campus. True makes annual expendable gifts to the fund for immediate use and has included the university in his estate plans to provide additional funding in the future. During a visit to Wright State in August 2015, True was able to meet some of the students who are benefiting from his gift.
“Earning this scholarship has made me less anxious and more excited for graduate school,” says biological sciences major Alia Eckhardt. “I feel proud of myself—of my research, writing abilities, and ambition. This scholarship provided me with additional verification that I’m well equipped for my career path.”
Eckhardt is utilizing her scholarship funds to support her genetic research for the collaborative World Tachinid Phylogeny project, which seeks to describe and classify a diverse, world-wide group of ecologically-important flies. She hopes to one day become a professor in entomology.
“I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude towards our donor, Dale True, as it is truly an honor to be a recipient of the academic grant that he has funded,” says biological sciences student Matt Almazan, who is researching planarian flatworms, a model organism that can regenerate entire organ systems from stem cells..
“Financially speaking, this scholarship will be of great assistance in helping with the development of my research project,” Almazan explains. “But the greatest difference that this scholarship makes is the confidence boost and excitement instilled in me from knowing that Wright State alumni are really interested in supporting undergraduates in their endeavors and development of their future careers.”
True’s connection with the biology department has been further strengthened through his relationship with Jeff Peters, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences. As a longtime volunteer and supporter of the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park in Scotland Neck, North Carolina, True helped connect some of Peters’ students to internships at Sylvan Heights. Peters, an expert on the genetic structure of global waterfowl populations, has mentored three Wright State undergraduates who completed summer internships at Sylvan Heights and has benefited from his own visits there. Dr. Peter’s students received financial support from True, via expendable annual gifts, to participate in the Sylvan Heights summer internship program.
"Opportunities to conduct research or experience an internship in the field can help students confirm their career choice," said True. "Through these experiences some may realize a different major better fits their interests and personality. Both outcomes are positive. My hope is that every Wright State student is confident in their career selection before they enter the workforce. Undergraduate internships go a long way toward making that a reality."
“Experiential learning provides a context for our students’ maturation as scientists,” explains David Goldstein, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. “While we try to introduce the process of doing science into our classes, immersion in experiential learning provides the real understanding of what it means to be a scientist, and provides a framework for truly integrating classroom learning. Gifts such as Dale True’s allow students to make significant gains toward becoming scientists.”
