Kady Dendramis

A lifelong gymnast, Kady Dendramis was one of 100 faculty, staff and students who tackled the 2007 Seattle Half Marathon as a member of the Graduate Students First Team. Kady is well on her way toward earning a Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry at UW. And, her commitment to science runs in the family: both of her parents are chemists. "I've always wanted to run a half marathon, and it's for a good cause," Kady said in November of 2007. Along with her fellow runners and walkers, Kady pushed herself hard to win support for graduate students.

Make a gift to the Graduate Students First Challenge Fund today.

When you contribute to a graduate student's future, you're creating futures for all of us.

The Graduate Students First Challenge Fund provides need-based support to UW graduate students in all disciplines, ensuring talented young people achieve their potential regardless of economic background.

Loyal friends and alumni helped the energetic members of the Graduate Students First Team meet the challenge, qualifying for matching funds from the University's Students First Initiative, and bringing the fund total over $180,000 as of June 2008. You can build the power of this important fund by making a gift!

Gifts of every size can make a difference

Think of any problem facing our society: homelessness, autism, HIV/AIDS, climate change, the sub-prime lending crisis, melting polar ice caps. Right now a UW graduate student is working to solve that problem. Independently and in collaboration with faculty partners, masters and doctoral students pursue research that benefits us all. Our nation's well being and competitiveness depends on the vitality of advanced training in all fields - the arts and humanities, as well as the physical, life, and social sciences.

Read about the team's run!

The UW faculty knows how vital graduate students are to the mission of the university. Sociology professor Bob Crutchfield cares so much that in November 2007 he ran the Seattle Half Marathon to raise money for this challenge fund. He rallied a team of 100 faculty, students, alumni and friends to tackle the race with him. Together, their efforts as runners, walkers, fundraisers - as well as their gift-inspiring work as teachers and scholars - made a difference. Your support of fellowships will also make a difference in the lives of graduate students and their faculty partners

Although the Students First matching initiative has concluded, other matching funds may be available from the Graduate School and the State of Washington Fellowship Matching program. If you would like more information on creating an endowed fund benefiting graduate students, please contact Erika Kreger, (206) 685-0662.