Brandeis University, in conjunction with Lawrence A. and Mae L. Wien, established The Wien International Scholarship Program (WISP) in 1958. The scholarship is intended to attract international undergraduate students to the university and to help support them during their time on campus. It is a needs based scholarship, though applicants must show significant academic and personal success to receive it.
The first class of WISP participants was comprised of 30 students who came from 16 different countries. Over the years, the program has maintained its commitment to helping outstanding international scholars pursue their education. As of August 2016, the Wien International Scholarship Program at Brandeis has fully or partially funded over 860 undergraduates from 112 different countries.
Some of the 860 students have gone on to hold positions of power and influence in various national governments and international organizations like the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. Other alumni have made contributions to the field of medicine and industries including finance, education, law, and the arts. Notable WISP alumni include Haile Menkerios (’70), Olaf Olafsson (’85), and Rakesh Rajani (’85).