Alumnus Dr. Matthew Thran ’84 Fuels Health Science Student Success with $30,000 Gift

The Bloomsburg University Foundation and Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg are proud to welcome a substantial gift of $30,000 from alumnus Dr. Matthew Thran ’84.

With a Bachelor of Science from Bloomsburg and a Medical Degree from the Temple University School of Medicine, Dr. Thran is happy to add another gift to his long track record of support for the sciences. Since the 1980s, he has been diligently supporting Bloomsburg students, and his recent gift will go directly to the Matthew and Jennifer Thran COHST Scholarship for Huskies.

As an Anesthesiologist with the Brown University Health Physicians’ Group, Matt wanted to help students with careers in medicine, not just to assist with the rising demand for physicians, but to give students more opportunities than they would not have had otherwise.

The price of college tuition has increased significantly over the decades, and apart from lightening the burden of student loan debt, his involvement on campus from time to time over the years has included mentorship for those entering health professions for the first time.

“Whether it’s through financial support or mentorship, we’re incredibly grateful for alumni like Dr. Matthew Thran,” said Jerome Dvorak, Executive Director of the Bloomsburg University Foundation. “His support will play a vital role in helping prepare students for the professional world and showcasing the lasting value of a Bloomsburg education and exemplifies to the spirit of The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us.”

Apart from scholarships, Matt and his wife Jennifer have donated funds to advance the Nursing Simulation Lab, giving a substantial $35,000 gift in 2023 alone.

Additionally, Matt is currently serving on the recently created Advisory Board for the College of Health Sciences and Technology (COHST), and has volunteered at Bloomsburg’s various career days, providing firsthand accounts of the professional world for those still working towards a degree.

“We’re short on doctors in the United States,” Matt pointed out, “Now that my kids are grown, I want to help out -- to help students with careers in medicine and the health sciences.”

As a Husky, Matt was scholar and an athlete. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and was awarded the Biology Student of the Year in 1984 and was elected to the Beta Beta Beta National Honor Society. Additionally, he participated on the Varsity Swimming and Diving Team for four years, winning All-Conference honors in 1983 and serving as co-captain in his senior year. The camaraderie and sportsmanship of the swim team was yet another piece of what made Thran’s years at Bloomsburg so valuable and rewarding in his eyes.

“Bloomsburg was affordable and set me up for success, and for that, I owe a large debt of gratitude.”

Moving forward, Matt intends to stay involved with the Bloomsburg Community, both financially and by being present on career days.

“This process has taught me that there are plenty of places to give, people think it goes into a pot but it’s all earmarked. Any little amount helps – even a few dollars donated in one’s early post-graduate years can make a big difference.” He finished by stating, “There are so many students whose lives can be changed by a thousand dollars or even a couple hundred dollars; it can potentially make or break their college careers.”

Support and engagement from Alumni like Matthew Thran are crucial to the success of students in a world of economic and career uncertainty, not just to help offset the cost of student loans, but to provide a genuine look into what Bloomsburg students can expect after graduation.

To make a contribution of your own, or to read more about The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us, visit https://giving.bloomu.edu/the-campaign-for-bloomsburg-it-starts-with-us.