Southwest Baptist
University News Release
Contact:
Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications
(417)
328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu
BOLIVAR, Mo. — Private
scholarship donors were in the spotlight during Scholarship Appreciation Day Tuesday,
March 12, at Southwest Baptist University.
About
500 students receive private scholarships each year from the 351 private
scholarship accounts established at SBU. Nearly 80 percent of those funds are
endowed, which means they have been funded with at least $10,000. Endowed
scholarship funds total about $11 million, nearly half of the university’s $23
million endowment.
“You
are having a major impact on the kingdom by your generosity and your
willingness to give,” President Dr. C. Pat Taylor told the donors.
Dr.
Bill Little, senior professor emeritus of chemistry at SBU and a private
scholarship donor, challenged donors to continue giving — and give more.
“What
great joy my wife and I have had providing scholarship funds because the Lord
has blessed us so much,” Dr. Little said. “It has been such a privilege to teach
such good students, some now in top companies and at Ivy League universities. I
want to challenge you donors to give more to help students. I would like to see
a time come when we’ve doubled the number of students receiving private
scholarships. Instead of $11 million, I’d like to see there be $100 million in
scholarship endowment.
“If
we are going to survive as a nation, it is going to require students who are
well-educated and dedicated to the cause of Christ. These students deserve the
best.”
Cindy Rice retiring
Cindy
Rice, private scholarship development director and estate planning associate,
is retiring at the end of March after working at SBU for 36 years. She
graduated from SBU in 1973 and has filled a variety of roles, landing in
University Relations in 1990 and becoming director of private scholarships in
1994.
“We
had a few private scholarships then,” Dr. Taylor said. “We have a lot more now.
Cindy has been dedicated to growing our private scholarships.”
A
retirement reception for Rice is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in
the Sells Administrative Center at SBU. Rice’s friends, family and former
colleagues are welcome.
For more information about establishing
a private scholarship fund, please contact Dr. Brad Johnson, vice president for
university relations, at (417) 328-1805 or bjohnson@sbuniv.edu.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Vice President of University Relations Dr.
Brad Johnson, right, presents Cindy Rice, private scholarship development director and estate planning associate, with flowers in
recognition of her 36 years of service to Southwest Baptist University. Rice is
retiring at the end of March. (Photo by Rollie Skinner, SBU Marketing and
Communications)
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Southwest
Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating
Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at
an affordable price. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic
community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For
more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.
