A Time for New Traditions

The College of Sciences recently started a new tradition, as it held its inaugural Scholarship Luncheon in February to honor University of Central Florida 2013-14 donors and the college’s scholarship recipients at the UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center.  The event was created to acknowledge the achievements of the college’s most accomplished students and recognize the continued support of the college’s donors that provide well needed scholarship funds.

Attending this event were nearly 50 scholarship donors, student scholarship recipients, faculty and staff.  In 2013-14 there were approximately 625 scholarship applicants.  Out of these applicants, 36 awards were given to 33 students.  This amounted to about $56k in financial assistance that was provided to the college’s well deserving students through these scholarships!

The event began with networking time as all the guests arrived.  The scholarship recipients were then seated at tables with the donors for their particular scholarship so they could get to know one another.  Ray Allen, Director of Development, welcomed everyone to the event and the meal was served.  After the meal, College of Sciences Dean, Michael Johnson, spoke about the college’s programs and some of the achievements from the past year.  Associate Dean and past Chair for the College of Sciences’ Scholarship Committee, Teresa Dorman, was introduced to recognize the scholarship donors and recipients.  She spoke about her past experiences on the scholarship committee and about the new, easier application process for College of Sciences’ Scholarships, which is fully automated on the COS Scholarships website.  She then recognized each donor and recipient and they were welcomed to the stage area to pose for a photo with Dean Johnson.

At the end of the presentation, a special spotlight highlighted the Frank R. Stansberry Scholarship.  Roy Reid and Jessi Blakely, representatives from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Orlando Chapter spoke about how important retired faculty member, Dr. Stansbury, has been to the university and the College of Sciences and why this scholarship was named after him.  Dr. Stansbury then took to the podium and spoke about how much the college and University mean to him and how humbled he was to be recognized.

The luncheon was a huge success for the college, as it provided an opportunity for scholarship donors to see first-hand the impact that their donations have made on the university’s students.  It also gave the scholarship recipients a chance to meet and thank the gracious donors that have allowed them to focus more on their studies by reducing their out-of-pocket college expenses.  Plans are already underway for an event later this fall to recognize 2014-15 students and donors.