Dean Stohler Joins University Student Aid Initiative
Supporting our Students
Dear Members of the College of Dental Medicine Community,
Today, President Bollinger announced an extraordinary commitment to increase financial aid for Columbia University students, a four-year effort to raise $1.4 billion dollars across all the schools of the University. CDM joins this ambitious university-wide initiative as we continue our progress toward reducing financial barriers to CDM’s distinctive dental education for our students.
As we all know, the greatest hurdle facing young dental students today is the high cost of their education. Almost half of CDM students receive some form of financial aid to help meet these costs. Yet dental students graduate with more debt than their professional school peers.
In the months ahead, CDM will present you with our own plans for how we can do our part in addressing this vital endeavor, raising funds for financial aid to enable talented young people – regardless of means – to have access to a CDM education, and to encourage admissions for those who are underrepresented in our profession.
I will be calling on each of you – alumni, parents, and friends – to join President Bollinger and me in this bold commitment to making a CDM education more accessible and affordable to bright young people. Currently, I am assembling a working group of committed alumni and friends to help identify the specific needs and goals of CDM’s student aid fundraising effort. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact Executive Director of Development Maureen Agostini at ma3644@cumc.columbia.edu.
With your help, we can make a profound difference in the lives of our students.
Sincerely,
Christian S. Stohler, DMD, DrMedDent
Professor and Dean, College of Dental Medicine
Senior Vice President, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
In their own words
This year has been full of challenges for me both academically and personally. To be recognized for my perseverance with a scholarship is very heartwarming and encouraging. The core of my life's mission essentially boils down to putting a smile on the face of others; today you put one on me.
-- Mark Henin, Class of 2022
When I applied, my family and I were worried about substantial student loan debt. The scholarship I received eased our burden and made me feel like someone out there was willing to take a chance on investing in me. My CDM scholarship changed the trajectory of my career and my life.
-- Elizabeth Fadoju, DDS '17, TC '17
Scholarship support from CDM - from alumni and friends - made my career possible. Your giving provided me and my classmates with that extra encouragement to focus on our studies, knowing that we had the support of this amazing community.
-- Jose Castillo, DDS '14, MA
Published February 23, 2021