Class of 1998 establishes endowed scholarship
After organizing their 25th class reunion last year, four members of the class of ’98 decided they could do more for their alma mater. Working with Texas A&M College of Dentistry and the Texas A&M Foundation, they created the Baylor College of Dentistry Class of 1998 Endowed Scholarship, to provide scholarships to second- and third-year dental students. The project was spearheaded by Dr. Don Le, Dr. Hung Pham, Dr. Suketu Kapadia and Dr. Darin Ward.
The alumni are working to raise a minimum of $250,000 over the course of five years, according to Texas A&M Foundation Director of Development Ian Wilson.
“The first scholarships will be awarded after the five-year mark,” he explained. “$250,000 is going to produce a lot of good for a lot of students.”
Once established, the endowment will provide four awards every year: one each to a D2 and D3 student in financial need and a D2 and D3 “Most Outstanding” student who has shown exemplary service to the school and their peers.
Le, who practices in Houston, took a leadership role in creating the scholarship because he has experience in this area. He and his wife, Dr. Cindy Le, have made two significant endowments to the school in the past – the Drs. Cindy and Don Le Endowed Scholarship Fund in 2014, which benefits D2 students, and a $50,000 contribution to the College of Dentistry Clinic and Education Building Fund in 2018
“We try to avoid one-time gifts,” Le said. “We try to make something impactful, that will have meaning and longevity.”
He explained that some alumni felt lost when the school became part of Texas A&M and the name changed, but he and his classmates understand the spirit and the mission of the school is the same.
“By doing this, hopefully, we’ll help people look beyond the name and focus on the school itself,” he said.
Pham also practices in the Houston area, and his hope is to inspire other classes, both older and younger, to consider following their example with creating class endowments.
“We’re not the only people that can do this for the school. I think every class should look into it,” Pham said. “We all do a lot in our own communities. I don’t see why donating a little to the school that set us up for success would be different. This school is our community, too.”
Kapadia, who practices in Arlington, Texas, is the self-described “social, relationship guy” of the group. He was instrumental in keeping the class of ’98 in touch with each other, creating a WhatsApp group a few years ago just stay in touch, banter back and forth and share career advice. When their 25th reunion came up, Kapadia jumped into action, texting, sending Facebook messages and emailing everyone to get as many class members together as possible. From there, he became a key part of putting together the endowment.
“A lot of us are obviously financially well off, being dentists for 25 years,” Kapadia said. “A lot of us want to give back. My goal is just to try and get everyone together and generate interest. The four of us have worked amazingly well together. We work well together, and I think we’ve become closer friends through this.”
Le said their goal is to have at least 50 alumni involved and donating to the fund, but more are always welcome.