OSU students give back to university's first student-funded scholarship
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
2007-2008 members of the inaugural class of the OSU Student Foundation
(May 14, 2008 STILLWATER, Okla.) – The Oklahoma State University Student Foundation announced today the receipt of $4,200 through a student-led scholarship campaign.
“Cowboy Spirit” was the organization’s first scholarship campaign aimed at securing scholarship donations from current OSU students. The 33-member student group, also known as StuFu, sold more than 400 T-shirts to promote philanthropy and create OSU’s first student endowed scholarship fund. Students wore the T-shirts on campus April 22 to demonstrate support for the initiative.
“We appreciate everyone’s participation in this event,” said Michal Shaw, director of scholarships and donor relations at the OSU Foundation. “We hope it has generated an interest in philanthropy among OSU students and that all students see that a donation of any size can impact a fellow student’s life.”
During a time when college students spend more than $6,000 a year on tuition and graduate with an average debt of $19,000, StuFu members felt it was time for students to take charge of a fundraising campaign that provided financial assistance to their peers.
“Most students going to college factor in the scholarships a particular school has to offer as one of the deciding factors as to where they will go,” said Caroline Diedrich, senior industrial engineering major and newly elected StuFu president. “The number of endowed scholarships a school has to offer plays a huge part in recruiting new students.”
A recent “Science” journal article showed college students who chose to spend money on others were happier than those who chose to spend money on themselves. Statistics like these motivated StuFu members to kick-start the campaign during the student organization’s inaugural year.
“It is an extraordinary opportunity to leave an impact,” said Omar Hossain, sophomore accounting major and newly elected vice president. “It has completely changed my idea of giving, as well as my personal passion for this university. StuFu gives you the ability to serve, to expand your horizons and to be a part of the roots of this university.”
StuFu will continue the fundraiser each spring to build the student endowed scholarship fund.
“Getting a campus-wide event like this established always has its challenges, but now that we have a foundation to build on, I think the event will grow from year to year,” Diedrich said.
StuFu is a student organization completing its inaugural year and functions as the student arm of the OSU Foundation. Its purpose is to serve Oklahoma State University by building, cultivating and sustaining relationships within the OSU community and to educate the student body about the impact and importance of charitable giving. The student foundation acts as a bridge between the student body, community, donors and the OSU Foundation. For more information about the organization, please visit http://osustudentfoundation.com .
The Oklahoma State University Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.