Sponsored by the FHSU Foundation, the university’s fundraising arm, the event is intended to spread awareness across campus that donors and their gifts keep “our great university running full speed and that we wouldn’t be such a strong institution today without this generosity,” said Leanna Roberts, the Foundation’s director of annual giving.
Awareness Day was created to help educate current Tigers about the importance of private support and fundraising. During the preceding week, more than 70 lawn signs were staked out across campus to illustrate how important donors and their gifts are to the life and mission of the university.
“Following graduation, these students will be asked to give back to FHSU, and hopefully, after learning how crucial private support is to the university and our students, they will be more inclined to do so,” Roberts said.
“Our generous donors help students further their education and pursue their dreams. We hope that our students are truly aware and thankful of the support that they’ve received, and that they pay that kindness forward down the road.”
Victor E. Tiger was available for photo opportunities and representatives from Astra Bank, the scholarship sponsor, drew the names of seven lucky scholarship winners.
Scholarship winners
$1,000 Scholarship: Jarid Malick, a Dodge City freshman majoring in health and human performance.
$500 Scholarship: Taylor Wade, a Dodge City senior majoring in nursing.
$100 Scholarships:
Jack Duffield, a Salina freshman majoring in history.
Elias Ramos-Solis, a Garden City senior majoring in graphic design.
Laura Serrano, an Aurora, Colo., senior majoring in nursing.Erica Skiles, aSedgwick senior majoring in nursing.
Mary Wollin, a Topeka junior majoring in elementary education.
“Ensuring that students know how FHSU is funded is an important lesson,” Roberts said.
She thanked the students for coming and Astra Bank for generously providing the scholarships.
“Fort Hays State University is not only one of the fastest-growing universities in our nation, but we also have the second lowest in-state tuition in the United States. The low tuition is possible only due to the number of generous alumni and friends who understand how important it is to give the gift of education.”
To visit with FHSU Foundation staff about how to become a partner in supporting FHSU and giving the gift of education, please call 785-628-5620 or email foundation@fhsu.edu. To learn more about the FHSU Foundation, visit http://foundation.fhsu.edu/.