2008 Woodie Awards
Private scholarships give students a helping hand
Chris Dutschmann
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Southwest Baptist University plans to raise about $20 million in endowment over the next five years, President C. Pat Taylor told a group of students and donors at the annual Private Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon Nov. 1.
If successful, campaign would increase the SBU's endowment from the current $19 million to about $40 million.
An endowment consists of investments of money and property donated to the University with the condition that the principal is not spent. Only the investment income is available to spend.
Part of the University's current endowment includes private scholarships. The donors at the luncheon represented 305 total scholarships, 237 of them endowed with a minimum investment of $10,000 each. All told, the endowed private scholarships represent $10 million of the University's $19 million endowment.
Director of Private Scholarship Development and Estate Planning Associate Cindy Rice coordinated the event, which originated in 1994 as a brainchild of then-Vice President of Estate Planning Robert Ingold. That year, the event had 50 attendees--12 of them donors-- and was held in the McClelland Dining Facility.
This year, the luncheon attracted 285 donors and students and included musical performances and speeches thanking the donors for their generosity.
"Before 1994, all the donors would receive was an annual letter about their particular fund and a 'thank you note' from the student. They still receive the aforementioned, but now they get the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the students whose lives they have impacted with their financial assistance," said Rice.
The scholarships amounts range from about $90 to as much as $3,800 annually with a wide variety of requirements. Most require a 2.0 minimum GPA. Student recipients are required to attend as a condition for receiving a private scholarship. Some are for students from specific schools or towns; some are for students with specific majors. Often, they are given as a memorial to a loved one who has died.
Evan Brewer, son of SBU psychology professor Dr. Richard Brewer, was just 18 when he died in a motorcycle accident in 2001. Family and friends began an endowed scholarship in his memory.
"It's one way I can celebrate his life," said Brewer.
Today, The Evan David Brewer Memorial Scholarship holds about $16,000.
"I derive pleasure that Evan's memory is perpetuated and that students benefit from the scholarship proceeds. In some ways, it's the next best thing to Evan attending himself," said Brewer.
Students can download applications from the SBU website or pick up applications at the library. The deadline for applications is Jan. 7, 2008.
If successful, campaign would increase the SBU's endowment from the current $19 million to about $40 million.
An endowment consists of investments of money and property donated to the University with the condition that the principal is not spent. Only the investment income is available to spend.
Part of the University's current endowment includes private scholarships. The donors at the luncheon represented 305 total scholarships, 237 of them endowed with a minimum investment of $10,000 each. All told, the endowed private scholarships represent $10 million of the University's $19 million endowment.
Director of Private Scholarship Development and Estate Planning Associate Cindy Rice coordinated the event, which originated in 1994 as a brainchild of then-Vice President of Estate Planning Robert Ingold. That year, the event had 50 attendees--12 of them donors-- and was held in the McClelland Dining Facility.
This year, the luncheon attracted 285 donors and students and included musical performances and speeches thanking the donors for their generosity.
"Before 1994, all the donors would receive was an annual letter about their particular fund and a 'thank you note' from the student. They still receive the aforementioned, but now they get the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the students whose lives they have impacted with their financial assistance," said Rice.
The scholarships amounts range from about $90 to as much as $3,800 annually with a wide variety of requirements. Most require a 2.0 minimum GPA. Student recipients are required to attend as a condition for receiving a private scholarship. Some are for students from specific schools or towns; some are for students with specific majors. Often, they are given as a memorial to a loved one who has died.
Evan Brewer, son of SBU psychology professor Dr. Richard Brewer, was just 18 when he died in a motorcycle accident in 2001. Family and friends began an endowed scholarship in his memory.
"It's one way I can celebrate his life," said Brewer.
Today, The Evan David Brewer Memorial Scholarship holds about $16,000.
"I derive pleasure that Evan's memory is perpetuated and that students benefit from the scholarship proceeds. In some ways, it's the next best thing to Evan attending himself," said Brewer.
Students can download applications from the SBU website or pick up applications at the library. The deadline for applications is Jan. 7, 2008.
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