Paul J. Schupf Provides Iraqi Student with Full Scholarship to Maine College

Investor and philanthropist believes Thomas College is a perfect fit for the Iraqi Teenager

WATERVILLE, March 9 — Paul J. Schupf, of Hamilton, N.Y., has proved that one person can make a life-changing difference to another. Using creative thought, action and generosity, Schupf helped an Iraqi teenager begin a new life by bringing him from the chaos of Baghdad, to the right college, Thomas College.

Schupf, an investor, philanthropist and friend of Thomas College, called President George Spann and offered his help after Schupf saw the ABC “World News” broadcast in December that told the story of Dan (his last name is being withheld), a Baghdad teenager with a dream of attending college in the United States. Even more compelling, Dan wanted to escape the violence in Iraq. Dan, a high school senior at the time, was witnessing the horror of war first-hand: he saw his best friend shot to death while they were walking to school.

Schupf’s decision to establish the Paul J. Schupf Scholarship Fund for Iraqi Students at Thomas grew out of his belief in the Thomas College mission of serving those who seek a better way of life through higher education. Dan is the first recipient of the scholarship.

With the establishment of the Paul J. Schupf Scholarship Fund, Schupf expressed the hope that other individuals might create similar “reverse Fulbright scholarships” to help students from war-torn nations come to the United States and experience life here first-hand.

In 2005, Schupf received an honorary doctor of laws from Thomas College and is a long-time friend and supporter. He is a strong believer in the power of higher education and has served on the boards of several colleges and universities including Colby College, Cazenovia College and Colgate, his alma mater. He is an art collector whose current collection includes works by Alex Katz, Francis Bacon, Jean Dubuffet and Chuck Close. He is an important benefactor of artists and art museums, and has contributed works to numerous museums in the United States and Europe.

The original ABC story about Dan showed the harsh conditions under which the teenager lived on a daily basis. Dan has interests in music, computers, tennis and soccer. The 18-year-old arrived on campus March 3 and began classes on March 8. He will study computer information systems at Thomas College.

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