Mark Sperling, interim dean of the School of Education at Indiana University Northwest, was blessed with the means to pay for his higher education.

His parents were willing to help out with college expenses, and they did for his first undergraduate semester, but he soon found that paying for it himself, by way of working or seeking out scholarships, gave him more of a stake in the game.

“I didn’t feel like I worked as hard that first semester, than when I paid for it myself,” Sperling said. “I wanted it to be something I did for me.”

But Sperling recognizes that not every student has that luxury, and in fact, most don’t. Even the most motivated students can struggle to meet the cost of tuition, even at the most affordable schools, like IU Northwest.

At the same time, Sperling believes that every student, regardless of their ability to pay, should be able to pursue an education beyond high school without worry.

“Many students have an inability to pay for tuition and all the fees associated with higher education,” Sperling said. “Thus, the generosity of the faculty and staff cannot be understated in its meaning to assist students reach their goals. Any amount of assistance will help them focus better on their studies by reducing their financial burden.”

When Sperling came to IU Northwest in 2001, he immediately began donating to the university’s various scholarship funds.

“I feel I have a responsibility to make sure our students are successful, and part of that responsibility includes contributing to student scholarships,” Sperling said. “My goal as this year’s Philanthropy Week Chair is to impress upon every faculty and staff member at IU Northwest the impact that even the smallest donation can make for students.”