Chancellor's Challenge Offers $1 Million Match for Student Scholarships

Students enjoy a break on campus.

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine  (RSDM) has been chosen as a recipient of the Chancellor’s Challenge, which will provide $500,000 in matching funds for student scholarships during 2019.

To support RSDM scholarships, click  HERE.

The School of Nursing was also chosen as part of the challenge, which will provide $500,000 in matching gifts to student scholarships at that school as well.

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) Chancellor Brian Strom announced the kick-off of the challenge, which is based on a successful effort that garnered $2.4 million in scholarship money for last year’s recipient, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick.

The school raised $1.4 million and the Chancellor’s Office supplied the rest. Strom said he expects this year’s effort to be just as effective. “The challenge brought in significant support for scholarship at RBHS, which we know will make medical education more accessible and affordable for our students,’’ said Strom. “It has also helped us engage new and returning donors.’’

Gifts to the Chancellor’s Challenge are double-matched for new Rutgers donors and alumni faculty. Funds from returning donors, faculty, staff and students receive one-to-one matches.

Dean Cecile A. Feldman emphasized the need among students. “Helping our students afford the high costs of dental school so they can pursue their passion for healing others is the most important thing we can ask of our supporters this year,’’ said Dean Feldman. “Potential students who have so much to offer are sometimes discouraged from applying to dental school because they struggle financially. Those who are enrolled can be overwhelmed by expenses.’’

Chancellor Strom expressed confidence that the RBHS community would ensure the challenge has an impact. “The partnership between the RBHS development office, the faculty and staff of both schools and our generous donors will result in yet another successful year of fundraising in support of our students,’’ said Strom.

For more information, contact the following staff: Laura Teti, Coordinator of Alumni Affairs and Donor Relations at laura.teti@ruf.rutgers.edu or Joan Liljegren, Director of Development,  at Joan.Liljegren@ruf.rutgers.edu