Small Change, Big Changes
- In 2007-2008, more than 23,500 gifts smaller than $1,000 added up to $2.7 million in aid to the university.
- If every student on the Kent Campus gave just $20, they would generate more than $340,000 in additional scholarship revenue.
- Each year, roughly 27,000 individuals financially support Kent State University.
- Scholarship programs like the Campaign for Change help students in need. Nearly 63 percent of Kent State students rely on loans to cover the cost of education.
- State funding accounts for less than 25 percent of the total cost of a Kent State education.
Students exemplify the true meaning of philanthropy
BY ASHLEY KATONA, '06
E
ight Kent State students started their spring semester with some good news. These proud students received $500 scholarships towards their tuition. However, there is more to this story. Those scholarships were made possible by their fellow classmates through a new fundraising program called the Campaign for Change.
The Campaign for Change (C4C) encourages students to make financial contributions that will create scholarships for their classmates and possibly themselves.
In just two years, the campaign has raised nearly $30,000 to support the Campaign for Change scholarship fund. Student gifts, combined with those received from parents, alumni, faculty and friends, are sending a strong message to the university community that there is power in numbers.
Kelly Brant, '04, assistant director of annual giving, says that the campaign focuses on changing the way Kent State undergraduate students think about philanthropy and the impact it has on their education, Kent State University and the community.
"We educate students that regardless of the size of their gift — whether it's one dollar or $100 — it makes a difference in someone's life," says Brant. "The campaign creates opportunities for students to experience what it feels like to make a voluntary choice to do good, and to see how it directly impacts the lives of other real people, like themselves."
All students who make a gift to the campaign, regardless of the amount, are eligible to receive one of the eight awards.
S ophomore pre-nursing major Liz Laurel, '11 was one of the first scholarship recipients. Her contribution, along with nearly 300 other student gifts, shows that students really do care about philanthropy.
"I saw this as a great opportunity to help my fellow students in the easiest and smallest way," says Laurel. "I was shocked to learn the little donation that I made was turning out to help me with my books and tuition."
S tudents looking to devote more of their time to philanthropy can join the C4C squad. "As volunteers for the campaign, students gain valuable leadership experience, while at the same time personally taking part in philanthropy," says Brant.
The C4C squad is composed of student volunteers who promote the Campaign for Change by attending events, e-mailing classmates and personally asking fellow students to make gifts to the campaign.
Laurel took advantage of the opportunity to volunteer and had a great experience. Hoping to reach more students by talking to them about the importance of philanthropy, Laurel still remains involved in the program today.
"It is a lot of fun, and I enjoy talking to fellow students," says Laurel. "It's an excellent program that gives students a chance to influence their peers by taking some of their financial burdens away."
Scholarships are awarded every December and are applied towards recipients' tuition for the following spring semester. Last year's scholarship recipients include Whitney Aquino, '11; Casey Beswick, '09; Katelyn Kinkopf, '12; Noel Polivka, '09; Erika Thomas, '10; Anthony Vitale, '11; Anne Wiater, '09 and Kelli Wilkinson, '12.
"The Campaign for Change positively impacts the lives of current and future Kent State students," says Brant. "Through participation, students gain a better understanding of the importance of private support to their alma mater and how their philanthropic acts will impact future generations of Kent State students."
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Students supporting the Campaign for Change during the fall 2008 freshman orientation week, the Week of Welcome (WOW).