$70,000 for Grad Perio Scholarships from Drs. Hom-Lay Wang & Holly M. Lin

"I wanted to set a good example. It's that simple," said Dr. Hom-Lay Wang as he talked about why he and his wife are gifting $70,000 for scholarships for residents in the School of Dentistry's graduate periodontics program.

"I also want to do everything I can to maintain a good program and attract top-quality students here to Michigan," he added. "This is a step in that direction."

Wang, director of the School's graduate periodontics program, said that both he and his wife, Holly, who earned her dental degree from U-M in 1994, hope their gift will ultimately result in a scholarship for every student who enters the graduate periodontics program at U-M. Four or five students are admitted to the three-year program each year.

"It's sad to see many of them struggle because of the cost of an education. But it's even sadder to know that many students who are qualified to be here don't come to Michigan because they are offered free tuition or some stipend support elsewhere," he said.

The cost of the graduate periodontics program at Michigan, according to Wang, is about $20,000 annually for in-state students and $38,000 annually for out-of-state students. "That's double compared to about ten years ago and costs are continuing to rise," he said.

The gift for scholarships from the Wangs will be matched with a gift of $35,000 in matching funds from U-M President Mary Sue Coleman's Donor Challenge program, bringing the total value of their gift to $105,000. The program leverages gifts of up to $1 million with a contribution of 50 cents for every dollar gifted. Pledges must be made before December 31, 2008.

In addition to encouraging alumni from the periodontics program to gift for scholarships, Wang also said he's trying to generate corporate support.