With a relatively small staff and limited resources, SRF relies heavily on a community of dedicated organizations and volunteers who contribute countless hours to provide a range of support to its grant recipients. Scholars often reach their host universities having suffered traumatic experiences in their home countries. Doctors, lawyers, human rights advocates, language specialists, university students, financial advisors, and other friends of SRF have extended their professional expertise to help SRF scholars as they adjust to their new host countries, communities and campuses and prepare for the future.

Featured Volunteers

Alison Von Klemperer

At the September 23rd Scholar Rescue Fund Advisory Board meeting, Alison von Klemperer received the 2011 Award for Extraordinary Service (full press release).  Ms. von Klemperer has volunteered significant time and energy to the Scholar Rescue Fund and the scholars undertaking their fellowships at host institutions in the United States.  Ms. von Klemperer has met with researchers and professors to understand their concerns.  She has offered advice as well as personal and professional contacts to help these threatened scholars through their difficult transitions to a new country.  In addition to countless hours and thoughtful guidance, she set up a special fund to provide scholars and their families with essential household items, winter clothing, and educational supplies.

Steven H. Schulman

The Scholar Rescue Fund honored Steven H. Schulman, Partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, with the 2010 Award for Extraordinary Service (full press release) for the generous support and counsel he has provided to the Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF). Mr. Schulman leads Akin Gump’s pro bono operations worldwide, representing some of the most vulnerable communities and individuals, and extends his passion and counsel to organizations whose mission is to do the same. Over the past three years, he has advised IIE and SRF on serious programmatic issues, often late into the night, on weekends and on holidays