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With friends and alumni of Missouri State University funding over 135 endowed non-departmental scholarship funds that provided 266 awards in the 2010-2011 academic year, there certainly was reason to celebrate. On April 4, 2011 over 150 donors, students, family, faculty, and staff attended the Endowed Scholarship Appreciation Dinner at the Plaster Student Union.
This annual event gives the University and students the opportunity to show their gratitude for the incredible generosity of donors that fund non-departmental endowed scholarships. It also offers a chance to recognize the accomplishments of the students receiving those awards, and provides a forum for donors and student-beneficiaries to connect.
The evening’s formal program kicked off with remarks from the dinner’s host, Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the Missouri State University Foundation, Brent Dunn. Dunn noted, “The Foundation, for 30 years, has seen outstanding support from alumni and community members that take an active role in enhancing the University and making it a better place for students. Support of scholarships is a big part of that, and without your support, particularly in these tough economic times, it would be impossible for some of our best students to make their educational dreams a reality.”
Several other members of the Missouri State University community spoke about the importance of scholarships in their lives during the evening. Mr. Dana Edwards, a philanthropist from the St. Louis-area, spoke about his family’s two scholarships – the Gene Edwards Memorial Scholarship, which benefits a Missouri State student from Webster Groves High School in St. Louis, and the newly established Edwards Family Scholarship. To read more about Mr. Edwards and his family you can read Family’s ties to Missouri State build lasting legacy.
Missouri State senior Michelle Mahler, whom we profiled in the Fall 2010 issue, spoke about how receiving the Bill and Virginia Ralls Darr Scholarship and how it made her dream of attending Missouri State University possible. Find out more about Michelle by reading Scholarship helps Missouri State student “make it work”.
Zoe Zhang, an international student from China, spoke about the privilege of being able to get her degree in the United States at Missouri State because of financial assistance from the Wilbur Bridges Scholarship for International Students. Find out more about Zoe, by reading Scholarships encourage international student to aspire higher.
Finally, the evening was capped with a thank you from the Provost, Dr. Belinda McCarthy.
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