Banquet Brings Together Scholarship Program Contributors and Student Recipients
March 26, 2004
Mount Union College celebrated the achievements of students while honoring the generosity of alumni and friends by presenting the First Annual Scholars' Banquet on Friday, March 26 in the Campus Grounds.
Greg King and James Mackey look on as Kirsten Henriksen a senior from Medina hugs Carolyn Mackey. Kirsten was the recipient of a scholarship donated by the couple.
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The inaugural banquet was a celebration to allow generous contributors of Mount Union's many scholarship programs and student recipients to join together and recognize the importance and meaning of giving.
Mount Union currently ranks in the top 10 percent of the nation's collegiate endowment assets at over $120 million dollars, spanning many generations of Mount Union alumni and friends. The scholarship programs at the College range from memorial scholarships and departmental specific scholarships, to need-based scholarships and unrestricted scholarships. Each endowed fund is dispersed according to the wishes of the donor.
The Scholars' Banquet was a great way for generous donors, who have never met the recipients that benefit from their contributions, to meet in person and form a relationship.
Norma Bader, who helped establish the Robert E. Bader Scholarship named for her late husband and former chairman of the Department of History and Political Science at Mount Union, had never met a recipient of her scholarship. Norma and Robert have been a part of the Mount Union tradition since 1947. To this day, Norma is a proud supporter of education and knows the contributions she has made in her late husband's name reflect his wishes.
Rachael Blasiman, a senior majoring in biology, thanked the donor of the scholarship that she received.
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"We have a lot of wonderful friends and have gotten to know many terrific students over the years," said Bader. "I feel real good about giving. Educating young people is one of the best things we can do."
The event's organizer, Susan Denning, director of advancement for stewardship and grants, envisions the banquet becoming an annual event.
"I felt the banquet was a success and I am very optimistic that this will become an annual occasion where we as an institution can recognize and show our appreciation to the wonderful supporters of the College," said Denning. "It is a great opportunity to show the benefits of the scholarship programs, and at the same time create a friendly atmosphere, where the donors and students can meet and fully appreciate one another."
The banquet was co-hosted by Dr. Jack Ewing Jr., president of the College and Dr. Richard Marriott, dean of the College.
Violet Bica-Ross addressed the audience and impressed upon the students in attendance to support the future generations of students who will follow in their footsteps.
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