$125,000 raised for emergency scholarship fund

Office of Communications & Marketing |Northeastern State University
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- May 7 marked the 125th anniversary celebration of Northeastern State Universitys historic Seminary Hall, and an important announcement regarding the universitys initial Light the Way campaign.

In an effort to better light the way for its students, NSU President Steve Turner has established an emergency scholarship fund for NSU students to help students facing unforeseen financial circumstances and lighten the financial load To keep them on track to finish their degrees.

NSU was happy to announce that they met their initial fundraising goal of $125,000 and because of these contributions; the Light the Way Scholarship fund is now in place to assist students with a financial crisis, beginning the Fall 2014 semester.

I owe everything to higher education and, as a first generation non-traditional student, I would not be standing here today without significant financial assistance along the way, NSU President, Dr. Steve Turner said in his remarks on May 7.

A single financial crisis can cause some students to withdraw from classes, possibly never to return to campus again. All of this because of an unforeseen occurrence they could not control. Having a fund for such situations would allow NSU to be able to intervene and help students with a small scholarship that would keep them in school and on track to graduate.

The scholarships name was inspired by the original dedication ceremony of Seminary Hall in 1989, where a speaker said that the seminary ignited the lamp of learning in the wilderness. This theme of light has been embedded in other allusions at NSU.

One example would be the stained glass piece Katie Pernu created that hangs in the NSU-Broken Arrow campuses Visitors Center Gallery. That piece is named Lighting of a Fire and was inspired by a quote from William Butler Yeats that stated, Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. Another thought is that the idea of light suggests help finding a path when a situation seems darkest according to Peggy Glenn, NSU director of development.

Soon, NSU will launch the next phase of Light the Way: a comprehensive campaign that will significantly expand the overall scholarship efforts. Funds raised through this campaign will be used to provide the equipment and technology needs of classrooms. This campaign will significantly boost the endowed chairs and endowed lectureships, thus enhancing the learning experience for NSU students. It will also help fund much needed construction and renovation projects.

Todays announcement about meeting the $125,000 goal is an outstanding beginning and I thank those of you who contributed to Light the Way Scholarship campaign, Turner said. But, as we look at the path ahead for the university as a whole, we know we need a brighter and a bolder vision. Future donors to the comprehensive Light the Way campaign can do so with confidence that their gifts will be put to work carefully and thoughtfully.

For more information about the Light the Way campaign or if interested in donating to the cause, contact the NSU Foundation at 918-458-2143 or foundation@nsuok.edu.