Teaching the art and science of philanthropy: Students learning to give

February 16, 2012

A middle-class student with a tuition bill of close to $130,000 hanging over her head, it’s no surprise 21-year-old Kathleen Mellano spends a lot of time worrying about money. In addition to working three jobs, the bubbly brunette is relying on scholarships, federal loans and cash from mom and dad to pay for her degree in psychology from Texas Christian University.

This semester, though, it’s not bills that are weighing heavily on Mellano’s mind. She’s been charged with the task of donating $100,000 of someone else’s money to charity, and she’s not quite sure how best to do it.