Rose-Hulman alum gifts $4M for scholarships

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — A 1974 graduate from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is repaying the school for the role it played in providing his pathway in the life sciences sector. Mike Mussallem and his wife, Linda, have established a $4.1 million scholarship fund to help students from northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago area. It is just the latest gift from the family.

Mussallem grew up in Gary, while his wife grew up in Illinois.

In 2000, Mussallem was named chairman and chief executive officer of Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW) when the California-based company became an independent, publicly-traded entity from Baxter International (NYSE: BAX).

“In the early 1970s, Rose-Hulman provided a welcoming environment for me as I moved from Gary and created an outstanding foundation for my future opportunities and career,” said Mussallem, who earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. “Linda and I believe Rose-Hulman provides unique and special opportunities to students from this region who have interest in studying science, engineering and math, and we are proud to help make this a reality for them.”

This is not the first gift from the Mussallems. They provided the $9 million lead gift in 2016 to expand Rose-Hulman’s student union, now named The Mussallem Union. In 2019, they provided a $1.5 million gift to support the construction of The Pi-Vilion, a free-standing structure adjacent to the student union.

The gift will provide scholarships for six students annually. Combined with institutional aid, the scholarships will cover full tuition at RHIT for four years.

The school says an important component of the scholarship is to provide international and leadership experiences for the students, which includes study abroad opportunities.