In a generous show of gratitude and support for future medical professionals, UC alumni Drs. Manu & Sangeetha Sethi have pledged to create an endowed scholarship fund at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The University of Cincinnati announced the couple's commitment, highlighting their aim to ease the financial pressures for medical students with a demonstrated need and commendable academic achievement.
"I like to use a metaphor of parents and children,” Sangeetha said, as they view their gesture of giving back akin to the tradition of honoring one's parents with the fruits of first labors. "In our culture, when you get your first paycheck, you give it to your parents. As an extension of that, we were UC’s children once, and now it’s time for the children to give back to the parent.” Dr. Manu Sethi underpinned this sentiment, expressing a desire to support those who possess all the qualities of exceptional physicians but are held back by financial constraints. "It was a terrific way to take it to the next level in giving back to UC, as well as giving back to students who have all they need to be great physicians but may have that financial barrier," Manu stated, as per the University of Cincinnati news release.
The Sethis' bond with UC runs deep, their connection stretching back to their early academic careers. They were cognizant of the quality education and exceptional opportunities provided by UC's College of Medicine, often participating in the closely-knit academic community. Their residency alignments and subsequent marriage allowed them to orbit even more closely to the institutional culture that they credit for much of their success.
With these scholarships, the Sethis are not just lending a hand to worthy students; they are building upon a legacy. It was of importance to ensure that this investment carried their family name, not out of vanity, but to instill pride in their children and future generations — to understand the impact of giving, "I want UC to know — we went to UC, and we are saying thank you," Manu shared with the University of Cincinnati.
Through the Drs. Manu & Sangeetha Sethi Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, the couple hopes to support College of Medicine students reaching a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
