"Look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping.” – Fred Rogers
In navigating the first full academic year in the midst of a global pandemic, several challenges impacted our student body. First – how to find ways to stay engaged in their studies, with their professions, with each other, and with faculty and staff. With the help of creativity and technology, our advisors met with students over Microsoft Teams, Zoom and FaceTime. Faculty recorded class sessions to ensure students wouldn’t miss out if there were any barriers getting in their way – internet, power, child care and more. When students shared that their summer jobs and internships weren’t available, causing them great financial distress, our alumni and friends rallied with emergency support.
In the wake of study abroad cancellations, our alumni and friends expanded study abroad scholarships to be used for emergency support, as were numerous other college scholarships. As donations added up, from $25, $100, $500+, we knew we could meet students’ needs because of the overwhelming generosity of our supporters.
312 students, $670,500+ – record breaking.
We focused this support to help our students with the highest need, those most at risk of not making it to graduation. Students like Matthew couldn’t believe the generosity.
“Are you for real? I have been so worried about non-payment this semester,” Matthew said. “Wow, this is amazing.”
“Without this financial assistance I don't think it would have been possible to continue my pursuit of this degree,” Kelly said. “It has always been my dream to educate elementary school children and this scholarship is helping that dream come true.”
With this financial support, Kelly graduated this spring and will pursue her dream of becoming an educator. Every gift counts. Every donor counts. Thank you for your support.
If you’d like to join fellow alumni and friends in supporting our students, make a gift today. Your support means more students will receive degrees on graduation day next year and beyond.
How and where you make your philanthropic support is a personal decision. If you would like to learn more about how your gift can impact students at the College of EHHS and Kent State, contact Jenn Dougherty at 330-672-0425 or jdough17@kent.edu