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May 2008
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CAMPUS NEWS |
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Giving Comes Full Circle at Annual Scholarship Luncheon
Many appreciative student scholarship recipients got the chance to meet their benefactors at the annual scholarship luncheon last month, part of the continuous giving back of many alumni to the university. Katie Young, CAS/BA ’08, based her keynote address at the April 16 Celebrating Scholarships event about the “fairytale” of her life and how her “fairy scholarship mother” made it possible for her to go to college. In reality, Young said in her speech, people helping others does not happen often enough. But for her, as a result of receiving a scholarship, a donor turned looming high book fees into actual books with a simple “whisk of her magic wand.” Scholarships are what make AU a special place, Young proclaimed. “They make AU the rich, diverse place it is.” Nearly $4.7 million in scholarship funds is currently available to AU students, according to Theresa Choi, associate director of Stewardship. “We’ve seen significant growth in funding available for scholarships in recent years,” she said. “Hopefully, this expansion is an indication of the bright future of AU’s scholarship opportunities.”
Young, who received the A.B. and L.M. Harris Memorial Scholarship and graduated on May 11, said if she had taken a loan from her bank for all costs related to college, it would have taken her 327 years to repay the bank. Instead, she said, the scholarship allowed her to focus more on academics and less on worrying about making ends meet. It also gave her more time to get involved on campus. In her time as an undergraduate, Young served as a Resident Assistant, a member of the Honors program, and a staff member in the offices of the University College and New Student programs. Wesley Thomas, SPA/BS ’75, a retired federal employee from the Office of Inspector General with the U.S. Treasury Department, was one of the many donors who came back to the luncheon to meet the recipient who benefited from his generosity. A donor to the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) scholarship, Thomas said he likes to give more then just a donation -- he gives job leads and career networking advice, too.
“We’ve got to ensure that people don’t struggle anymore than they need to,” Noble proudly explained. “I try and do what I can to get the students hooked up.” Young said she hopes to continue the cycle of giving back. When she graduates, she will remember the imprint AU had on her life, and when she can, she too will give back as a way to show her appreciation. “I think it’s important to show gratitude and give back for the great experience you had,” she said. Thomas couldn’t agree more. “As an alumnus,” he said. “We’ve got to take care of our own.” -Brian Kalish, SOC/BA ‘08 | |||||||
