The Firethorn Fellowship for Australia / NZ student attending Wharton full-time MBA

The Firethorn Foundation is a private family foundation formed by George and Andrea Ferris and their three children to offer a scholarship to an MBA student from Australia or New Zealand to attend the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the amount of US$50,000 per year. The scholarship is awarded annually to individuals who exemplify academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in their communities and industries. It reflects elements of the Foundation’s mission: to invest in education as a catalyst for opportunity, leadership, and lasting change.

George started his career in Sydney with Coopers & Lybrand and Macquarie Corporate Finance before being accepted to Wharton in 1993. Post-graduation, he pursued a career in finance in the US with Merrill Lynch investment banking, Allied Capital mezzanine and private equity capital, as CFO with Louis Dreyfus Highbridge Energy and as founder of Bilgola Capital LLC, a family investment fund.

Andrea started her career in New York with Coopers & Lybrand before being accepted to Wharton in 1993. Post-graduation, she pursued a career with Johnson & Johnson, with start-up software company Decision Lens and as President / CEO of LUNGevity, a lung cancer early detection research foundation.

Both Andrea and George believe strongly that their career opportunities and successes have benefited materially from the education and network built at Wharton and want to provide a scholarship so that others might be able to do the same.

Application deadline: February 28 of each year

For questions regarding the fellowship and the application process, contact the foundation directly at [email protected]