A Life-Changing Gift for Future Generations

When Sophia Gonzalez-Mayagoitia enrolled at the University of Denver in 2015, she had no way of knowing that her life would soon change due to a series of events that began before she was born.

In 1992, DU alumnus Bill Young responded to a mailing, indicating that he had included the University as a beneficiary of his estate plan. Through conversations with our advancement staff, Bill decided to use his bequest to create an endowed scholarship fund, which was fully funded at his passing in 2002.

The following year, Bill’s widow, Thelma, attended DU’s annual scholarship dinner and had the privilege of meeting our students. Though not an alumna herself, Thelma was so impressed that she decided to update her own estate plan to include a generous bequest to the Thelma and William Young Scholarship, which DU received in 2009.

Six years later, Sophia arrived at DU with the goal of using her education to shape international policy and make a difference in the community. As a Mexican-American from El Paso, Texas, Sophia grew up with a unique borderland perspective.

“I witnessed the impacts that major international issues and policies had on my local community, both in the U.S. and in Mexico,” she said.

In high school, her work with a local program acquainting foreign dignitaries with the United States allowed her to meet people from all over the world and reinforced her desire to study international relations and public policy in college. It was then that Sophia set her sights on the University of Denver’s top-ranked Korbel School.

“I could just picture myself there,” she said.

But she would need help to make this dream a reality.

Then she was awarded the Thelma and William Young Scholarship.

“I was so humbled and grateful to have been chosen,” Sophia said.

“Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to attend DU.”

Scholarships enabled Sophia to pursue her academic passions and get fully involved in campus life. One of her most formative experiences was serving as vice president of DU’s undergraduate student government.

“I don’t take my scholarships for granted. Donations to scholarships, no matter how big or small, make an incredible difference in the lives of students like me who have really large dreams and aspirations,” she said.

For more information about how you can make a difference in the life of a DU student and leave a legacy, contact Jon Kraus at 303.871.4619 or jon.kraus@du.edu.