Home > Giving to Chicago > Why Give to Chicago?
Kyle F. Hodges
Why scholarship support is valuable
Scholarships are valuable because they provide students like myself with the unique opportunity to attend a top tier institution that would normally be out of consideration because of the costs. It allows qualified students to capitalize on the intellectual and cultural resources of a prestigious university without enduring substantial financial hardships. Essentially, without scholarships I would not be able to attend the university that I revered in high school as one of the best centers for education in the world. The generous gifts of donors have provided me with the best tools for the future.
Why I chose Chicago
I chose Chicago because of the academic rigors of the Core and the ability to explore so many different areas of study while receiving a great education along the way. Intellectually enlightening and culturally stimulating, Chicago offers numerous opportunities for growth that I didn’t feel I could find at other peer institutions. Without the experience, I knew that a Chicago education was exactly what I needed to equip myself for the future. Furthermore, the location made the university even more attractive given its proximity to downtown and the character of Hyde Park. The combination of a high-quality education and the city of Chicago made the choice very easy.
Plans for the future
I plan on spending the next two to five years committing myself to non-profit work, specifically education and non-profit consulting. I hope to participate in the Teach for America program in another big city for the two years following graduation. After that, I would like to spend a few years abroad teaching or doing non-profit business development, maybe play a little international rugby, all before returning to the states to attend law school.
About myself
I was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, floating between public, private, and performing arts schools for my primary education. I finally landed at Walsh Jesuit High School where I first found out about the importance of Chicago and other peer institutions in shaping future leaders. With the encouragement of family, teachers, and friends I aimed high for college and was fortunate enough to gain admittance into Chicago. Since arriving at Chicago, I have been involved in numerous extracurricular activities, played rugby, worked at the University Community Service Center, formed lifelong friendships, and been challenged academically beyond what I ever expected. Chicago has been a place for the life of the mind and the development of a better person. My experience at Chicago has enabled me to find my passions in life and provided me with the skills to engage the world and pursue my dreams.
