Why She Gives: SNHS Staff Member Sandra Northrup Tells Her Story

(September 30, 2011) -- A postcard outside Sandra Northrup's office shows a group of smiling Simmons students who participated in last spring's Alternative Spring Break project with Habitat for Humanity in Washington, Penn. The message on the back thanks Northrup for a gift that helped fund the trip.

"The intent of all my gifts is to help students be successful here," says Northrup, who has given to Simmons annually for more than a decade. "That's why I support the Campaign – it's making education work for all our students."

Much of Northrup's philanthropy has been inspired by former professor and associate dean of the College, Elizabeth "Betty" Rawlins '67GS, '03HD, who was Northrup's colleague and mentor in the dean's office. "I was so impressed by Betty's work, particularly as an advisor to students of color. She also planned the first Black Alumnae/i Symposium in 1989," says Northrup, who joined Simmons that year; she moved to what is now the School of Nursing and Health Sciences in 1995.

Northrup has made several gifts specifically to honor Rawlins and benefit African-American students, including to the Elizabeth B. Rawlins '67 Endowed Scholarship. Northrup also has supported other scholarships and The Simmons Fund. Her motivation is always the same: Help Simmons students succeed.

• To make your own gift to the Making Education Work Campaign, please visit the Campaign giving page.
  
• For more profiles, and to tell your own Simmons story, visit the Tell Your Story section of the Campaign website.

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