Thunderbird Southeast Asia (SEA) Fund

Since 1999 only 282 students from Southeast Asia have graduated from Thunderbird yet our region is projected to grow by over 5% per year and become the 4th largest economy in the world by 2050.  Our goal is to raise $25,000 to endow the Thunderbird Southeast Asia (SEA) Fund, which will represent all regional alumni chapters to provide sustainable financial resources in support of qualified students from Southeast Asia.

Alumni membership and financial resources vary greatly across Southeast Asia and we recognize the need for an organized effort to provide sustainable financial support to the school.  As alumni and friends of Thunderbird we see first-hand the future impact of our region in the world and we are responsible for ensuring that Thunderbird is prepared to meet the demands of our important region.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a sustainable financial resource to Thunderbird School of Global Management, that will increase, educate, and develop students from the ASEAN region.

GROWTH: By providing a sustainable financial resource to students we show our commitment to increasing not only the number of students from Southeast Asia, but our collective alumni voice in the ASEAN region.

EDUCATION:  Scholarships are an important part of each candidate’s school decision-making process.  By growing the SEA Fund, our goal is to provide sustainable scholarship funding to help offset student financial needs.  In addition, the fund also aspires to directly influence the future of Thunderbird’s education through faculty chair positions, guest lectures, and industry specific programs that are critical to our region of the world.

RESOURCES:  Each year students are expected to pay out-of-pocket for additional program expenses.  These costs include, but are not limited to, career job fairs, books and classroom resources, meals, school projects, transportation, tutoring & job training, and emergency or holiday flights back home to visit family members.  No amount is too small and we can help our students with these unexpected costs.

Today we begin by starting the first ever financially sustainable fund dedicated to the needs of Southeast Asian students.  Together we will ensure the future impact of our people, our school, and our region around the world.

Thank you for your support.

All funds will be deposited with the ASU Foundation for A New American University, a nonprofit organization that exists to support Arizona State University (ASU). Gifts in support of ASU are subject to foundation policies and fees. In the event that funds raised reach $25,000, gifts will establish a permanent endowment at the ASU Foundation on behalf of Thunderbird’s Southeast Asia Alumni. Your gift may be considered a charitable contribution. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of charitable contributions.

*ASEAN Countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.