#bufoundation

[bloomsburgu]

$2 million in scholarships allocated for first-generation students

BLOOMSBURG – Bloomsburg University and the Bloomsburg University Foundation (BUF) announces that the BUF Board has voted to commit $2 million in scholarships as a need-based award to first-generation college students from Pennsylvania.

The university will award the scholarships starting immediately for first-time students who enroll at BU for the fall 2021 semester. The initial award of $500,000 per year will become an annual renewable scholarship for students in the Class of 2025 who maintain successful academic standing.

"We are so thankful to the BUF Board and our donors for committing to provide such much-needed scholarships," said BU President Bashar W. Hanna. "They are leading our Husky Pack by example, and I can't thank them enough for the work they've done to make this happen."

BU's commitment to making a four-year degree more attainable for first-generation students was recently recognized when the university was named a First-gen Forward Institution by The Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) and The Suder Foundation. The First-gen Forward designation recognizes higher education institutions that have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing first-generation college students' outcomes.

"One of the biggest challenges for current and incoming students is the harsh reality that they may have to postpone their education due to financial obstacles, especially during these uncertain times," said BUF Board President Drew Hostetter. "That's what we're here for, to help support students and advance the success of this university. Right now, this is the best way for us to do that."

To qualify for the scholarships, recipients must be first-generation, full-time students. They must also be Pennsylvania residents with demonstrated financial need or meeting the criteria to receive Pell Grant assistance.

"This effort by our Foundation is going to make all the difference for many students enrolling this fall," said BU Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment Services Tom Fletcher. "What's so important is the renewable component, which shows prospective students that the BU community is here to provide the back-up they need to not only help them enroll but also to stay on track for timely completion of their degrees."

To learn more or make a gift to help BU students facing immediate financial need, visit giving.bloomu.edu/GiveNow or call 1-855-282-4483.

[bloomsburgu]

Alumni and donors step up to show support for students during challenging year

BLOOMSBURG – The numbers are in, and the results show that Bloomsburg University alumni and donors at all levels have come together to provide support for BU students when they needed it most.

Despite many pandemic-related fundraising challenges, BU alumni and donors answered the call to assist students in their time of need. The donors' response helped create opportunities and alleviate financial stress for students to the tune of a 58% increase in giving from 2019, a $2 million+ increase to BU’s endowment growing to more than $60 million, the creation of 32 new scholarships, and a nearly 70% increase in donor support on Giving Tuesday.

“2020 was certainly a challenging year for us all, but the commitment of our alumni and donors in supporting our students exemplifies the Husky spirit of resilience and togetherness and has truly been an inspiration,” said BU President Bashar W. Hanna. “We are fortunate to have such a dedicated community, and I am forever grateful for their commitment to our students and their success in especially challenging times.”

During a tumultuous year filled with unprecedented academic and logistical challenges, many students also faced financial crisis due to job loss and other circumstances. In addition to regular fundraising efforts, these challenges sparked the Strengthen the Pack Campaign for emergency student aid, which raised more than $105,000 from 241 donors. The fund helped BU administrators deploy resources to students facing urgent short-term needs like computer and internet access, temporary housing needs, tuition assistance, and food insecurities.

"While I'm typically in awe of the support and generosity of our alumni and friends, this past year has been extraordinary," said BU Vice President for Advancement Erik Evans. “What was especially encouraging was more than 75% of the gifts we received were $250 or less. This shows that donors at all levels are giving what they can to support our students, and they know that every gift counts. When everyone comes together to give, it makes all the difference."

Annual gifts to the Bloom On Fund, emergency aid, and scholarships to help recruit and retain students made for a promising year of support, but the generosity didn't stop there. BU donors also bestowed several transformational gifts, which are equally vital to the advancement of the University, including a $10 million gift from Steph Pettit '89 to support student-athletes, a $1.5 million gift from Craig A. Diehl Esq. '82 to establish a center for law school preparation and $500K gift from Mike Boguski to support Professional Experience Grants (PEGs).

Finally, in addition to immediate-use funds provided, BU donors also stepped up to show their commitment to future Huskies by pledging more than $6 million in gifts through estate intentions, an increase of $2.2 million in the previous year.

To learn more about how donor support impacted the BU community during 2020, visit giving.bloomu.edu/Impact, or to make a gift go to giving.bloomu.edu/GiveNow.

[bloomsburgu]

Bloomsburg University Foundation establishes Community Impact Fund

The Bloomsburg University Foundation recently established a Community Impact Fund to provide funding in support of student professional experience projects. The projects will benefit the Town of Bloomsburg and communities throughout Columbia County with marketing studies for non-profits, special projects for the town, engagements within field of study, and more.

Professional experiences help students apply what they are learning in the classroom, establish a professional network and obtain career experience in a workplace while earning a degree. Faculty mentored research or internships, study abroad, creative performance activities, service projects and attending a professional conference are all considered professional experiences.

“This endowment provides our friends and supporters the unique opportunity to support our students and benefit the community at the same time,” said BU President Bashar W. Hanna. “Through these valuable experiences outside the classroom, our students learn more about themselves and the world, further develop their professional networks and career paths, and gain meaningful work experience.”

To help offset some of the cost of participating in these experiences, Bloomsburg University Foundation offers Professional Experience Grants (PEGs).

PEGs from this fund are to be used exclusively for projects and/or initiatives supporting community needs within the boundaries of Columbia County.

As part of the fund’s establishment, an allocation committee comprised of five representatives – three from Bloomsburg University and the Bloomsburg University Foundation, one from Columbia County, and one from the Town of Bloomsburg has been formed.

The committee will meet three times a year (two for fall and spring allocations and one for a fund review). Initial work has focused on setting up the process and an online application, with the first funding round application period to be announced and launched in early summer 2020.

Current fund committee members include, Jerome Dvorak, executive director, Bloomsburg University Foundation; Heather Feldhaus, interim associate vice provost for research and sponsored programs, Bloomsburg University; Dan Knorr, director of external and government relations, Bloomsburg University; Bonnie Crawford, Bloomsburg town councilmember; and Chris Young,Columbia County Commissioner.

The first application period for funding consideration will open June 22, 2020 and close July 31, 2020. Applicants may be internal to Bloomsburg University — students, faculty, and staff — or may be external organizations, non-profits, and businesses.

Professional experience projects for this round of funding are envisioned to be completed within the fall 2020 academic semester. A prepared or existing collaboration between Bloomsburg University students and faculty and a community sponsor is encouraged but not required. 

[mrmichael55]

May Day . . . then and now

May Day . . . then and now

Hello on a Wednesday afternoon from my office,

When I was growing up as a child in Northwest Iowa, May 1st was a celebratory day. We had a May festival at school and we practiced dances and we had bleacher set up at my school yard and parents came to watch their sons and daughters perform. The May pole was a great thing and I remember hoping I might somehow get to dance with the prettiest girl…

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