WHEREAS, in 1998 the Close Family established the Close Scholars Program via a $1 million gift from the Springs Close Foundation, providing scholarship support to students; and
WHEREAS, in 2018 in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the program, the Springs Close Foundation's Board of Directors increased the annual scholarship award to students; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, Derick Close, CEO, Springs Creative and president of the Springsteen Foundation made a multi-year commitment to implement a group-based study abroad component, called Close Exploration: Global Close Scholars; and,
WHEREAS, in January 2022, the Springsteen Foundation approved a third gift to support the piloting of the Close Scholars Junior Year Study Abroad Program in honor of Anne Springs Close; and
WHEREAS, the scholars are provided access to interest-free loans to support their educational pursuits; and
WHEREAS, the program has graduated 96 scholars and supported them in their pursuit of academic excellence, civic engagement, leadership development, cultural competency, and career readiness; and
WHEREAS, the Close Scholars have collectively contributed over 90,000 hours of service in support of the Springs Close Foundation’s commitment to the communities of York, Lancaster, and Chester counties, as well as Winthrop's vision of enrolling "an achievement-oriented, culturally diverse and socially responsible student body."
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Winthrop Board of Trustees that this resolution serves to acknowledge the significant contributions of the Close Family over the past 23 years to student success; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that The Winthrop Board of Trustees celebrates the Close Family and hereby extends their sincere appreciation for their monumental impact, dedication, and service to Winthrop University and the greater community.
APPROVED, this 8th day of April 2022
