Scholarship Spotlight: Melissa Richmond ’22

“I can’t begin to express the ways in which financial aid has opened doors for me and my future.”

After graduating from Northwestern this spring, Melissa Richmond ’22 is headed to Auburn University to pursue a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. Richmond, who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business institutions, plans to become a licensed therapist and work in clinical practice. Her career goals were influenced by her course of study and experience working in several research laboratories during her time at Northwestern.

Richmond is among the 60 percent of recent undergraduates whose Northwestern education was made possible through financial aid. The University is able to provide this support thanks to alumni and friends who have committed to making it affordable and accessible through their philanthropy.

“Financial aid was the only reason I was able to accept an offer of admission from Northwestern in the first place,” Richmond says. “It has helped me to be able to focus on my academics and personal development without the constant stress of trying to figure out how to afford my education.”

Planned gifts are critical to the University’s efforts to offer financial support to current and future students. The scholarship Richmond received was established through a bequest from Charles F. Meyer III. Meyer, who graduated in 1919, was a long-serving leader of his Southern California alumni club. Meyer bequeathed the bulk of his estate to Northwestern to create scholarship opportunities for future generations.

To learn how a gift in your will or trust can help deserving students like Melissa Richmond receive a Northwestern education, contact Northwestern Gift Planning at 800-826-6709 or giftplanning@northwestern.edu.