Donors give $37 million for scholarships

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Donors to Bowling Green State University's major fund-raising campaign have contributed more than $36.78 million in support of student scholarships, meeting one of the priority project goals within the overall $120 million Building Dreams Centennial Campaign.

Within the comprehensive campaign, a goal of $35 million was set for scholarship monies. The latest figures indicate scholarship fund raising has surpassed that goal. Overall, the campaign has raised $106.1 million since its start in July 2002.

“We are happy that our alumni and friends are supporting students by creating and funding scholarships,” said Kermit Stroh of Wapakoneta, who is a co-chair of the Building Dreams campaign. “We have established 380 new scholarship funds since the start of the campaign.”

“With college costs on the rise and an increased need for financial support, scholarships can help students limit their debt at graduation,” added campaign co-chair Ronald Whitehouse of Free Union, Va.

“Reaching this goal for scholarships before the end of the campaign gives us reason to celebrate because it shows our donors' commitment to students,” said Dr. Sidney Ribeau, president of the University.

“But the need doesn't stop there,” Ribeau added. “We will continue to raise funds for scholarships, as well as the other campaign initiatives until the end of the campaign in December 2008.”

Other campaign initiatives include the new Wolfe Center for the Arts; the BGeXperience, a University-wide program to foster analytical thinking and principled graduates; endowed faculty and staff positions; WBGU-TV, and entrepreneurial programs.

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(Posted February 06, 2007)