Fall 2001

Volume 4 Number 1
A publication of Macon State College

MSC Foundation Names Study Abroad Scholarship For Stephen R. Portch

Dr. Stephen R. Portch, left, accepts a copy of the proclamation naming a study abroad scholarship in his honor from Joe E. Timberlake III, a member of the MSC Foundation's Board of Trustees. Photo by Sheron Smith

The MACON STATE COLLEGE Foundation's Board of Trustees has approved the creation of an endowment that will fund study abroad scholarships named for Dr. Stephen R. Portch, the University System of Georgia's outgoing chancellor.

The first annual scholarships will be awarded in 2002. Based on current level of funding, the Foundation expects to award $1,200 the first year.

“Dr. Portch strongly believes that University System students need to develop a global perspective, so this is a fitting tribute to him,” said Dr. Gwen Sell, Macon State’s study abroad coordinator. “In the coming months, we will see how critical international ties are to America as we join other nations in a common cause. The Portch scholarship will help Macon State encourage more students to take advantage of these opportunities to study abroad and be prepared to function in the world arena.”

Portch in 1995 directed the state’s colleges and universities to focus on boosting the number of students participating in international education. To help support Portch’s directive, the Board of Regents set up a Council for International Education and created a scholarship program to help students pay for study abroad. Today, each of the 34 public colleges and universities in Georgia has a faculty coordinator to administer study abroad programs and organize activities that raise international awareness among students.

Last year, 1.63 percent of University System of Georgia students studied abroad, which is above the national average. The Board of Regents’goal is to boost the number to 2 percent.