The Michael E. McGoldrick Student Scholarships
Michael E. McGoldrick
We are so grateful to the Michael E. McGoldrick Charitable Foundation for funding these scholarships and honoring two students each year. Michael E. McGoldrick was a life-long learner, a curious intellectual, and inspiring teacher with a photographic memory and genius at financial mathematics. He attended Amherst College and Stanford University and taught economic history around the world.
He was active in the financial markets his entire life from a young investor in Seattle to a trader on the NYSE and Chicago Board of Trade. He worked as an economist, consultant, development director, teacher, portfolio manager and retired as a successful private investor. He was a kind human, an animal lover from bugs to bears, and generous donor to the philanthropic causes and themes that he felt would improve our world.
He lived a life of adventure traveling the world as a teacher, fisherman, mountain climber, conservationist and most importantly, with the love of his life Terry Galpin-Plattner.
Economics Scholarship | $5,000
The Michael E. McGoldrick Economics Scholarship awards a $5,000 scholarship to one Colorado high school junior or senior who has taken a high school economics class. The sponsoring teacher will receive an award of $500.
Essay Prompt: Given what you have learned in your high school Economics class, what does the term “economics” mean to you now? In particular, what impact do you see economic concepts or the “economics way of thinking” having on either your current life, or your life in the future?
The recipient of this scholarship will be selected by a committee of financial and business professionals and will be judged on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate insight into an economic way of thinking. Essays that convey a deep understanding of economic principles and that have a compelling personal voice have the greatest chance of selection. Applicants must frame their essay in response to the prompt provided.
Personal Finance Scholarship | $5,000
The Michael E. McGoldrick Personal Finance Scholarship awards a $5,000 scholarship to one Colorado high school junior or senior who has taken a high school personal finance class or participated in the Stock Market Experience or an Invest in Girls event. The sponsoring teacher will receive an award of $500.
Essay Prompt: What three financial literacy skills you have learned about in high school do you see yourself using the most when you are age 30? Briefly describe the three skills you selected, and why consistent use of these skills might help you make informed decisions, achieve your goals, and/or navigate economic uncertainties effectively in your future life.
The recipient of this scholarship will be selected by a committee of financial and business professionals and will be judged on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate insight into an economic way of thinking. Essays that convey a deep understanding of personal finance principles and that have a compelling personal voice have the greatest chance of selection. Applicants must frame their essay in response to the prompt provided.
Essay Parameters:
Essays must be between 500-1000 words. Spelling and grammar matter. In addition to the completed essay, each student must submit a one paragraph biography of approximately 75 words.
Entry Deadline: Deadline is April 8, 2024. The selected essay will be placed on our website and could be released to local media and/or broader media.
Additional details
This contest is open to residents of Colorado who are in their junior or senior year of schooling at the time of the submission.
Winner will be asked to provide a social security number for income tax purposes.
A student applicant must have a teacher sponsor.
One application allowed per person. If it is determined that a person has entered with more than one identity, all of that person’s entries will be disqualified.
No prize will be awarded to an applicant who does not meet the eligibility requirements. All information on the application must be accurate and complete.
All work must be the original work of the applicant. Plagiarism in any form will result in disqualification.
The winning entries will win a scholarship in the form of a check. Where the winner is a minor, the scholarship check will be awarded to the winner’s parent or guardian, as custodian for the winner.
