About The Foundation

The George M. Pullman Educational Foundation supports the dreams and aspirations of outstanding graduating high school students with merit-based, need-based scholarships and continuing educational support as they pursue their bachelor’s degree at the college or university of their choice.

I have chosen to tide Old Route 66 for 2 reasons. First, my wife Becky and some friends decided to explore the “Mother Rode” by car last year in the spring. They drove from our home in Lacey, WA to their starting point in Pontiac, IL. From there they followed what was left of the old highway west to Barstow, CA, where they headed to I-5 to take them home. That put the burr in my saddle to do the same trip by bicycle. The second reason to do the ride was to get me to the place in Chicago where the road originally began and where the Pullman Foundation headquarters is only blocks away. Each year, in May  the Foundation conducts their Pullman Scholar Symposium & Celebration of Award recipients. 

I was a Pullman scholar from 1974-1978 while at the University of Illinois. I was grateful to have been given some financial assistance from the foundation. I have donated nearly every year since graduation to the foundation’s scholarship fund. The last few years, it has been my privilege to interview some of the candidates for the scholarship award. After speaking with them, I am humbled to think that I was a Pullman scholar. Today’s candidates strike me as holding much more maturity, academic credentials, engagement in their community, and drive than I can ever remember possessing. After speaking with them, I walk away with new hope for the future of our nation and humanity. 

There is more information about the Foundation at http://www.pullmanfoundation.org/ , but here is a start:

The Pullman Educational Foundation selects scholars from across Cook County through a competitive application process under the advisement of 130 dedicated volunteers comprised of Pullman Scholar Alumni. The Foundation helps prepare and equip Pullman Scholars with ongoing programs, such as its Scholar Success Seminar series and the annual Scholar Symposium, that provide essential college and career development resources. The Foundation provides four-year, renewable scholarships of up to $10,000 and invests over $1 Million in tuition and program support for over 100 Scholars annually.