Thank you, Schaefer Family!

Feb. 2, 2023

​​On behalf of the University of Arizona’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Program, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude to Dr. John Schaefer and the Helen Schaefer estate for the generous contribution recently made to the Dr. Helen S. Schaefer scholarship fund. As a woman scientist and in her support of gender equity in STEM, Helen was a steadfast role model. WISE is proud to administer the award in her name each year.

Dr. Schaefer’s gift of $50,000 more than doubles the scholarship endowment, thereby securing the fund for years to come. This will have a tremendous impact on UArizona STEM students who foster gender equity in their academic fields while working to achieve their educational goals.

Financial stress can greatly impact whether a student can persist in school, and each year, the Helen S. Schaefer scholarship fund provides at risk students the support they need to persevere and meet their goals. The recent gift increases the amount of annual $500-$1500 awards, and will further bridge the gap between historically underrepresented groups and STEM fields by providing scholarships that, for recipients, make the difference between surviving and thriving.

We are immensely thankful for the Schaefers’ commitment to the WISE mission, not only today but over so many years. This funding will have a lasting impact on the University of Arizona and provide much needed financial assistance to the high-achieving who embody Helen’s Schaefer’s values. Direct financial support to students is vital and remains a central pillar in WISE’s efforts to produce a more equitable and dynamic STEM workforce. 

-Dr. Stephanie Murphy and the WISE team

For students interested in applying, the 2022-2023 Helen S. Schaefer Scholarship application opens in January 2023.