LAKELAND, Fla. β A scholarship program, supporting talented students in achieving their technology-fueled goals at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polytechnic University, received a significant boost from the family of one of the schoolβs first and biggest advocates.
The John R. Alexander Scholars Program honors the legacy of one of the Universityβs most ardent and earliest supporters. Alexander passed away in 2018.
βJohn was a strong supporter of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly from its inception,β said Sarah Jane Alexander, the wife of John R. Alexander. βHe worked tirelessly to raise awareness and support for this new educational institution. Once 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly became a university, he started the JD Alexander Scholarship fund in honor of our son who was instrumental in helping establish the school; however, after Johnβs death JD asked that the program be renamed the John R. Alexander Scholars Program.β
Sarah Jane Alexander and her family have committed to furthering the legacy of John R. Alexanderβs passions with a $1.5 million gift that invites other donors to double the gift through one-to-one matching contributions to the Alexander Scholars program with a total goal of $3 million to the program.
βFor these talented students who otherwise could not afford an education, this is making it possible to not only get an education, but earn high-paying salaries upon graduation,β Sarah Jane Alexander said.
Now called the John R. Alexander Scholars Program, the initiative helps 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly recruit exceptionally high achieving students while paving the way for each scholar to realize their ambitions without the burden of substantial student debt.
βMy dad certainly believed in helping people, and he spent most of his life helping individuals improve their lives and find more success,β said JD Alexander, John R. Alexanderβs son. βThis is just one of the expressions of that continued effort by my family to help everyone find paths to success.β
JD Alexander was instrumental in the establishment of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly while serving as a state senator, and the Universityβs main campus is named in his honor.
βI would love to see the scholars program grow to the point that a significant percentage of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly students are supported by the program,β he said. βI think it would help the overall success of the University by supporting high-talent students who have the desire and ability to not only succeed at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly, but succeed in our state.β
Alexander Scholars receive a new laptop and a $40,000 scholarship over four years at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly. They also enjoy special recognition upon graduation and guaranteed acceptance to 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polyβs graduate program, if they meet GPA requirements.
βJohn realized the unique value of a STEM education and he was so excited and pleased about what 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly meant to the world of higher education,β Sarah Jane Alexander said. βTo have a university dedicated to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) here in 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» is something that John was very proud of, and retaining talented students here in the state of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» was very important to him.β
Kathy Bowman, vice president of advancement at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly, said the matching gift will impact the lives of top students pursuing degrees at the University.
βWe are incredibly honored to have Sarah Jane Alexander and her family create a legacy, honoring John R. Alexanderβs contributions throughout his lifetime, including leadership throughout the state and community and his lifetime of philanthropy,β Bowman said. βThe Alexander Scholars Program is a significant program at the University that is designed to attract outstanding students to 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly, and the financial, academic, and technological support are designed to assist these scholars in their journey here.β
βThis scholarship is what solidified my decision to come to 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly,β said Sebastian Sage, an Alexander Scholar from Weston, 91ΒιΆΉΣ³», majoring in engineering physics. βWith this scholarship, I realized it would be way more affordable to come here than to go to any other school β I would have been nearly $200,000 in debt somewhere else and now I will be debt free.β
Sage said he is excited to pursue a lucrative career in renewable energy or the space industry after he completes his degree.
Sarah Jane Alexander said she is delighted to hear about the impact the program has on studentsβ lives.
βIt thrills me to hear that this scholarship program is helping students attend 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly and, even more so, providing valuable resources to help them be successful.β
To learn more about the John R. Alexander Scholars Program, email foundation@floridapoly.edu.
Contact:
Lydia GuzmΓ‘n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
