黑料吃瓜

The increasing importance of student scholarships was a focal point at the 4th Annual Scholarship Donor Appreciation Luncheon on Monday.

Nearly 80 scholarship donors and more than 50 student recipients were among those attending the luncheon 鈥� spearheaded by The Campanile Foundation board member Betsy Manchester 鈥� at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.

鈥淭he purpose of this luncheon is to connect our thoughtful donors with the students who benefit from their scholarships,鈥� said Ben Clay, a longtime 黑料吃瓜 supporter. 鈥淟ook around this room today, and you see that going on.鈥�

Last year, the university awarded 1,757 individual scholarships valued together at nearly $3 million. That was a 31 percent increase in number and 30 percent increase in amount from five years earlier. Final numbers are not yet available for the current academic year.

鈥淒ue to the length and the depth of what is now being called the Great Recession, many traditional sources of support 鈥� parents, states and the federal government 鈥� are limited,鈥� said 黑料吃瓜 President Elliot Hirshman. 鈥淭his makes philanthropic support even more critical.

鈥淲e are at a pivotal moment in the history of the university,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou see that success in this room. We have enjoyed great success and are poised to move to the next level in supporting students. And our economic challenges make private support for scholarships absolutely essential.鈥�

Fuel Potential Campaign

The university鈥檚 campuswide fundraising effort, , has raised more than $43 million for scholarships and student support in its Fuel Potential effort. Kit Sickels, chair of The Campanile Foundation Board that oversees the $500 million campaign, told those at the luncheon that the overall campaign will reach the $350 million mark this week.

Provost Nancy Marlin said more attention is being placed on scholarships for international experiences 鈥� one of 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 hallmarks 鈥� and on scholarships to recruit the San Diego area鈥檚 best and brightest students. The Ben and Nikki Clay Endowed Presidential Scholarship is one example.

鈥淭he success of tomorrow's leaders will reflect today's support.鈥�

鈥淲e feel strongly 鈥� even passionately 鈥� about not letting our highest-achieving students get away from San Diego,鈥� said Nikki Clay, who is on The Campanile Foundation Board. 鈥淪o often, it turns out they don鈥檛 come back.鈥�
From the students鈥� perspective, Anna Williams, a graduate Artist Diploma student, said scholarships gave the three musicians in the Neave Trio a home base and sense of community.

鈥淎s with any startup, you need that initial support to really thrive,鈥� said Williams, who received the Fisch/Axelrod Student Artist Award Scholarship, the Diana J. Barliant Scholarship, and the Joseph Wright Johnson Memorial Scholarship.

Student initiative

Channelle McNutt is a senior double major in political science and communication, and executive vice president of Associated Students. 

She said her Navy father鈥檚 unexpected transfer to Florida caused financial challenges last year as she juggled schoolwork, two part-time jobs and campus activities.

鈥淭hese scholarships allowed me to focus on the things that matter most: my education, my family and my community,鈥� said McNutt, who was awarded the Joseph and Patricia Ferrero Endowed Scholarship and President Day Scholarship.

鈥淭hank you for your commitment to empowering the lives of others and contributing to the legacy of leadership,鈥� she told scholarship donors. 鈥淏ecause of you, leadership truly does start here.鈥�

Hirshman noted that 鈥渏ust as the success of today鈥檚 leaders reflects yesterday鈥檚 support, so the success of tomorrow鈥檚 leaders 鈥� will reflect today鈥檚 support.鈥�

鈥淚 have full confidence that I will continue to give as much back to others, both inside and outside the 黑料吃瓜 community, because of the extreme generosity that was bestowed upon me,鈥� said Anthony Rodriguez, a biology major and pre-med Honors Program student. He received the McNally Scholarship and has been an academic mentor at Casa Azteca.