In her junior year of studying physical therapy at Sargent, Mindy Hilson (’77,’82) contracted mono. With deep fatigue and frequent fevers, she thought she would have to drop out. But then, she says, her advisor told her, “I don’t want you to leave. We’ll help you get through this.”

And that’s what happened: faculty, friends, and classmates all pitched in.

“Everyone took notes for me, they helped me, and I made it through that semester,” Hilson says. “And that was what Sargent epitomized: this group of students who all cared about each other and wanted to help people.”

The experience confirmed her decision to study PT—and to do it at Sargent. She had first thought of the field after receiving PT for scoliosis. Then her brother, Bennett Blumenkopf (CAS’73, MED’76), who was studying medicine at BU at the time, recommended applying to Sargent. “He thought the people in the program were bright, nice, and compassionate,” she says. “It was a small community, and it was just wonderful—easy to meet people and develop great friendships. There’s a very uplifting type of person who goes into PT. For me, it was just a great fit.”

Hilson went on to practice PT—and even met her husband when he came to her as a patient. “PT provided me with an amazing life,” she says.

She’d love to see a new generation of students have that same rich experience. That’s why Hilson has endowed a Century Challenge scholarship for Sargent undergraduates, meaning that BU will match the income from her fund for 100 years. And she hopes those students will pursue careers in PT.

“For me, PT’s the best,” Hilson says. “If you can’t get people active and functional in their lives, then what is life?”