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Thomas Offers Iraqi Teenager a Full Scholarship to Attend College
Following ABC News story, Dan Azad gets chance to escape violence, come to U.S.
WATERVILLE, Dec. 19—On Sunday, Thomas College offered Baghdad teenager, Dan Azad, a scholarship to the College so that the young man can fulfill his dream of coming to the United States to study and escape the violence in the region.
Following an ABC “World News” story on Thursday evening, Paul Schupf, a friend of Thomas, contacted the College and pledged to provide a scholarship to Azad. On Sunday, December 17, Thomas President George Spann called Azad in Baghdad and offered him the scholarship at Thomas including air fare to the U.S.
“Bringing Dan Azad to the United States, and in particular, to Thomas College, will provide this young man with opportunities he would not have in his country, as well as a respite from the violence in Baghdad. We are grateful to Paul Schupf for his generous offer, and look forward to welcoming Dan to Maine,” said Spann.
ABC’s “Good Morning America” interviewed Spann on campus on Sunday. The story of Thomas’ offer was broadcast this morning.
The ABC story about Azad was conducted by Dan Harris. It depicted the harsh war-torn conditions under which Azad lives on a daily basis. Last year, his best friend, Mohammed, was shot to death while walking with Azad. During the videotaping for the ABC “World News” interview, gun shots rang out near Azad’s school yard.
The teenager has interests in music and computers, and is currently a senior at the School of Music and Ballet in Baghdad where he plays the oboe.
The interview made a powerful impression on Schupf,
a Hamilton, N.Y. investor and
philanthropist. He called Spann to say he wanted to make the teenager’s educational dream come true by bringing Azad to America and providing him with a college education at Thomas.
Azad was elated with the offer. The College is currently pursuing the necessary documentation for Azad to enter the U.S.
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