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A Visit with UK's First Scholars | |
This past September, Eric and Deb Suder visited the University of Kentucky. The agenda included discussions with senior leadership including Dr. Lee T. Todd, President; Dr. Kumble Subbaswamy, Provost; and Mike Richey, Vice President for Development. These conversations reaffirmed UK's commitment to ongoing support of First Scholars.
The visit included the opportunity to learn about the program's day-to- day operations from Matthew Deffendall, First Scholars Program Director and hear from several faculty members who participated in the scholars' orientation retreat.
Eric also addressed the University Development Council at their annual meeting and spoke about the importance of giving back and influencing change within a community.
However, the highlight of the trip was meeting the 20 First Scholars attending the university. It was an amazing experience for Eric, Deb, and the scholars. "Having Eric and Deb visit our campus inspired and uplifted our scholars. Many remarked it helped them realize they were a part of something bigger than themselves," stated Matthew Deffendall.
A visit to meet the scholars at The University of Utah is scheduled for early February 2011.
First Scholars at the University of Kentucky with
Matthew Deffendall (far left) and Eric and Deb Suder (middle)
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| First Scholars Presents at NSPA Conference | |
Dr. Paul Gore, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, at the University of Utah and Diane Schorr shared details about the First Scholars program and its selection process at the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado this past October. They explained how First Scholars is using the Student Strengths Inventory ä(SSI) to select scholars at each university. They also discussed how the results lead to creating a personal support plan for each scholar once they reach campus. Paul is one of the developers of the SSI and is designing the program evaluation process for First Scholars.
The National Scholarship Providers Association is dedicated to supporting the needs of professionals administering scholarships in colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations and foundations. You can learn more at www.scholarshipproviders.org
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| Planning for Program Sustainability | |
In November, we convened a working group of Corporate and Foundation Relations Directors to discuss strategies for attaining self- sufficiency of their programs. Conversations centered on both institutional and national fundraising efforts. Participants included Jan Swauger, University of Kentucky; Kim Gentry, The University of Alabama; Jill Gobert, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; and Cheri Daily, The University of Utah. They were joined by Eric and Deb Suder, Erin Falah and Diane Schorr from the foundation.
"Our recent working group provided an opportunity, for the corporate and foundation relations directors of the partner institutions, to brainstorm the direction to head in to fundraise for First Scholars. We are at an important crossroads since we are a new pilot but need to look ahead to find the means to keep expanding. We already have an important story to tell...this working group gave us the chance to figure out how to tell it," stated Kim Gentry of UA.
Kim also noted that as a new partner it was helpful to spend time with the Suders and learn more about the heart behind the program. "Rarely does a grantee have the opportunity to spend time with a foundation's founder and staff and to be heard and give input into a program's future." |
| First Scholars Expansion Plan | |
2011 will bring the addition of three new university partners to the First Scholars network. We redesigned our selection process to include two stages. The initial letter of inquiry solicitation resulted in 47 responses from universities interested in joining the network! Narrowing the pool of applicants was a challenging task given the quality of universities and the variety of ways they could add to our scaling efforts and body of knowledge. The following sixteen have been invited to submit a full proposal, which will be due on March 15, 2011: Colorado State University, Eastern Washington University, Louisiana State University, Montclair State University, San Jose State, Towson University, University of Kansas, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, University of Memphis, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Oklahoma, University of Rhode Island, University of Texas - El Paso, Virginia Tech, Washington State University.
Following our internal review, we will select three universities in May 2011. Stay tuned for more news.
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2010 was an exciting year as planning turned into reality! On behalf of the foundation and the entire First Scholars network, I'd like to thank you for your support. Our success in launching our first two program sites and expanding our network would not be possible without the expertise and advice of our many partners, colleagues and friends. Best wishes for health, happiness and success in 2011! Sincerely,
Executive Director The Suder Foundation
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In The News | |
"I am an extraordinarily fortunate recipient of the First Scholars program because not only do I have the phenomenal opportunity of attending the University of Utah, but also the most magnificent support system. Between Tony (the program director), peer advisors, tutoring, a personal librarian, I know I am never alone. Instead I am inspired to get involved, triumph over my impediments and achieve my dreams."
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Margarita Chagolla
First Scholars at
The University of Utah |
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