Gifts to the Foundation

The excitement generated by our anniversary extended beyond the anticipated celebration of our 20-year milestone.

Our sense of excitement revolves around you—our friends and supporters— as well. Your philanthropic support of Shawnee State University continues to grow with us. Your generosity during the past year helped promote our development and foster our growth.

Your gifts, large and small, augment tuition and state support, and we are gratified that we can continue to count on you to care about our students.

Ohio’s budget shortfalls continue to have a devastating effect on higher education, particularly because they are coupled with a cap on tuition increases.

That is why your voluntary support is so crucial, truly making a difference as we strive toward excellence.

We are particularly gratified when you choose to meld your philanthropy with your desire to honor loved ones or friends. Your gifts in memory or honor of them have double meaning as they bring tribute to Shawnee State as well as those people you care so much about.

This year the University lost a number of good friends, one of whom we didn’t know and one who was among our biggest donors.

Robert Blackston, the father of one of our baseball players, Jeremy, made a lovely donation to our planned baseball field in memory of his dad, Harold. Evidently, Jeremy and his granddad were close friends, with baseball as a strong bond. Although Harold never saw Jeremy play for the Bears, their relationship will forever be marked on the campus field.

Rose Jacobs passed away this year and also left a vital legacy. Rose—104 years old—had been a Portsmouth business woman who defied stereotypes. In a man’s world, she ran a successful business for years following the death of her husband. Together, with her daughter, Augusta, she left funds to a number of charities. Shawnee State was fortunate enough to be one. The legacy left by Rose and Augusta, and through them their husband and father, Jacob, is extraordinary.

Other friends Shawnee State lost were Carl Daehler, Sr.; Don Covert, Sr., and Robert Coburn. Many of Don’s and Bob’s family members and friends honored them with memorial gifts. Don’s memorials went to the award in his family’s name and Bob’s went to Friends of Shawnee State, our general scholarship endowment.

We will miss all of these folks and again send our sympathy and love to their families.

Other wonderful gifts were no less important as individuals, businesses, and organizations demonstrate, again and again, that they understand how vital their support is to the growth of Shawnee State. Their donations fund everything from academics to athletics; arts to research.

A number of university supporters, many who work diligently, volunteering countless hours, also donated funds during the quiet phase of our capital campaign, to be announced publicly soon. Their philanthropy has laid the groundwork for what we expect to be our most ambitious and successful fundraising effort ever.

Guests who joined us at the President’s Gala in May not only attended a delicious and lively event, but guaranteed a similar experience for everyone this September. Their donations underwrote the 20th anniversary celebration held at fall quarter’s start.

Other 2005-06 gifts went toward existing scholarships, Toombs Children’s Learning Center extra curricular activities, and academic programming. One company, a long time university supporter, not only donated funds to pay for our alumni ad campaign in the local newspaper, but even developed the idea of showcasing our alums.

Three new scholarships were also established this year as people continue to recognize the importance and impact of financial aid.

One award was established by her friends to honor President Morris on her birthday. What a special way to say “congratulations!”

The local chapter of the National Society/Daughters of the American Revolution has also chosen to establish a scholarship here as have many Shawnee State University family members who created the Women’s Forum Scholarship.

In these cases, philanthropists have joined together to make an impact greater than they could as individuals and will, together, leave a legacy of education.

Each of these donations is truly a gift, because individual students benefit over and over each and every day whether through a scholarship that allows one student to gain an education or a piece of equipment that augments the high tech learning tools that benefit many.

Thank you for your generosity that underwrites all we do. You are promoting growth and ensuring excellence. For that, we are most appreciative.