Julius G. Blocker, MIA 56, Donates $3.5 Million for Exchange Program COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

Julius G. Blocker, MIA ’56, Donates $3.5 Million for Exchange Program COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog SIPA is pleased to announce the Julius Blocker Scholars Fellowship Program. Through a $3.5 million bequest from the estate of alumnus Julius G. Blocker, MIA ’56, SIPA will endow a program to “fund and foster an international student exchange program between SIPA and a German university.” Mr. Blocker was a Fulbright scholar in West Berlin while he was at Columbia University. Of the Fulbright experience, Mr. Blocker stated that “it was one of the best years of my life.” He strongly valued the experience and the opportunity to immerse himself fully in the language and culture of Germany and Berlin. His gift to SIPA will allow students to have the same opportunities that he had studying abroad. As part of the Global Public Policy Network (GPPN), SIPA has a partnership with the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin and will implement the Blocker Scholars program in the next academic year.   This scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, transportation, room, board, health insurance, and living expenses. Students will be selected in a publicly announced competition. Mr. Blocker divided his estate between his undergraduate school, Hobart and William Smith College, and SIPA. The School is truly grateful for this transformational gift.