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The Baker Scholars program aims to attract and educate a new generation of leaders who will rise and meet the challenges of the 21st century.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Six Tennesseans have pledged $500,000 each to pay for four-year undergraduate scholarships at the University of Tennessee’s Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs.
According to a release from the university, the Baker Scholars program aims to attract and educate a new generation of leaders who will rise and meet the challenges of the 21st century.
The $3 million total will support six scholarships for four years of study. According to the release, the donors include Tennesseans who have made a significant difference in public policy, public service, philanthropy and education. The six donors are listed below.
- Al Gore
- Lamar Alexander
- Natalie Haslam
- James A Haslam II
- Heath Shuler and his wide, Nikol Shuler
- Bill Powers and his wife, Fran Powers
“I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude to these Tennesseans who are investing in the future leaders of our state and country,” said Marianne Wanamaker, dean of the Baker School. “We are seeding the next generation of public leaders in the legacy of Howard Baker, looking for opportunities to come together and move confidently into the future. Our students are fortunate to have these Tennesseans supporting them from the very beginning.”
The school offers a public affairs program for undergraduate students, designed to teach students about public problem-solving. It is meant to prepare them for careers as elected leaders and includes courses on civics, statistics and economics.
A release said the gifts would support four Baker School students each year, and the school hopes to eventually award more than 20 scholarships each year.