BSU’s paid internship program ‘a pathway to student success’

More than 1,500 Bridgewater State University students have participated in a paid internship program that’s been funded by the Bridgewater State University Foundation and private donations.

The Foundation along with approximately 400 businesses and individuals who have funded the cause, celebrated the effort at the 23rd annual Chairmen’s Dinner.

Nearly $1.4 million has been given to students who have participated in for-credit or non-credit internships since 2013, providing the students with invaluable on-the-job opportunities in their fields.

“Internships allow our students to develop their writing, communication and interpersonal skills in the workplace,” said Thomas Caron, 75, chairman of the BSU Foundation at the fund-raising event.

“The charge to the Foundation is to raise more money to make more internship opportunities happen,” he said. “The major part of future campaigns will be to raise more money for internships.”

Proceeds from the Chairmen’s Dinner, which is co-chaired with BSU Trustee Chairman Eugene J. Durgin Jr., will once again support the paid internship program, which is under the direction of Diane Bell.

“Without this dinner, we wouldn’t have paid internships,” said BSU President Frederick W. Clark Jr., Esq., ’83. “They are a pathway to involvement and a pathway to a future. Employers like graduates with a liberal arts education with specific skills. Add an internship and you’re on your way.”

The program featured a number of stories from students who have participated in paid internships including a video “The Power of an Internship.” President Clark said it’s not enough for Bridgewater to offer 400 paid internship opportunities a year to its students.

“We need at least a thousand,” he said. “Let’s get our students to where they need to go. Student success has to continue to the workplace. It doesn’t end when they walk across the stage. We need to create a pathway.”