Sun staff
Scholarships help fund the education of many students at University of Cincinnati Clermont College, and the appreciation that the students, as well as faculty have for scholarship donors was displayed at the annual Scholarship and Donor Recognition Luncheon March 13.
UC Clermont Dean Gregory Sojka said the annual luncheon focuses on the students who receive scholarships and the donors who provide the funds for scholarships in the community.
“There is no better return on investment than an education,” Sojka said. “We thank each and every donor for giving.”
Guests during the luncheon were able to hear from students who have received scholarships at UC Clermont, including Josh Toth and Diana Delgado.
“It’s an honor to be selected for something so prestigious,” Toth, a scholarship recipient, said during the luncheon.
Delgado, who is from Columbia, said receiving a scholarship enabled her to attend a United States college and encouraged her to work hard while attending school.
“It was a great relief of my parents shoulders and my shoulders,” Delgado, now a senior at UC Clermont, said about receiving a scholarship.
Delgado said she feels many students don’t believe they can receive a scholarship, when many times they just need to apply.
“I think a lot of students ignore emails,” Delgado said. “There are so many opportunities.”
University of Cincinnati Provost Beverly Davenport was the guest speaker during the event.
Davenport said going to college, earning a degree and the returning to give back to that institution is what they try to encourage.
Davenport said University of Cincinnati does well on the return on investment for individuals giving back to the college.
She said giving back to the university changes the lives of scholarship recipients, like Delgado, in many ways.
“I suspect these students wouldn’t have the opportunity, without donors like you, to expand their horizons,” Davenport said. “You’ve changed their lives, and you’ve changed the university.”
Sojka recognized donors from all corners of the community during the luncheon.
Sojka also introduced several new scholarship donors during the luncheon who provided new scholarships that include The Emerging Writer’s Scholarship from The Literary Council of Clermont and Brown Counties, the Fifth Third Bank Scholarship, the National Bank and Trust Company Scholarship, and the Neal and Karen Jeffries Scholarship.
Sojka said they hope to continue to add scholarships each year at the college.
“Our goal is to announce at least one additional endowed scholarship each year,” Sojka said. “My personal goal is to eliminate the cost of attendance from the worries of college students.”
“For those who have been giving, I want to thank you,” Sojka said. “And don’t stop.”