With two donations from alums, the MFA program has created the new Wendi Kaufman fund to honor the late alumnus whose short story collection, Helen on 86th Street and Other Stories, became last summer the first title published by Stillhouse Press. Plans are to make the fund a permanent endowment as a way of perpetuating the work that Wendi did to foster opportunities for writers, says program administrator William Miller. Possible uses of the earnings from the endowment include fellowships and scholarships, support for attending conferences or writing retreats, connecting writers with agents or editors, and acquiring writerly tools such as computers or printers or printing supplies. Persons interested in helping grow the fund and turning it into an endowment can contact William Miller at wmiller@gmu.edu or go directly to the Mason Foundation (giving.gmu.edu) to contribute.
February 10, 2015