THE SCHOLARSHIP
The Baird Foundation offers four-year scholarships to exceptional students graduating from Arizona high schools every year. This small and elite group of students will join the community of Baird Scholars at the University of Arizona and the Honors College. This prestigious award is specific to the Honors College and the UA.
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In addition to the Baird Foundation financial award of $12,500 per year, the University of Arizona will provide a full-tuition scholarship including mandatory student fees and the Honors College fee, currently valued at approximately $12,900/yr. These two award components would replace any resident Wildcat Tuition award offered to the recipient. Over four years, the combination of the two awards is valued at almost $100,000. Baird Scholars also enjoy community-building events throughout the year.
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(Description from the UA Honors Website)
JAMES BAIRD
James Baird was an American civil engineer, and is commonly recognized for his work on The Lincoln Memorial, The Flatiron Building, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and several others. In 1936, he and his wife moved to Tucson, Arizona, where they spent the rest of their lives. As one part of his philanthropy in Tucson, he donated what was at the time the largest-ever scholarship gift to the University of Arizona, establishing the Baird Scholarship. In 1951, he received an honorary doctorate in engineering from the University. James passed away in 1953 at the age of 79, and is buried at a family plot at Oakwood Cemetery in Chicago, IL. The Baird Foundation was established to oversee the continuance of the James Baird Legacy through the community of Baird Scholars, which had its inaugural year in 1951.