GSAC hosting a silent auction to raise money for scholarship

What do hand-made jewels, horseback riding lessons, and an ESU three credit hour course voucher have in common?

These items and many more have been donated by Emporians and ESU faculty to help a student organization raise money for an endowed graduate fellowship.

"The only way graduate students can receive financial assistance is through an assistantship," said John Berger, an Industrial Organization and Psychology major who is president of the ESU Graduate Student Advisory Committee. "GSAC saw the need for a graduate student scholarship and decided to move forward with the idea."

This student initiated effort is the first of its kind for graduate students. "ESU has excellent graduate programs that prepare students for successful professional careers and advanced study," Berger said. "Our goal is to continue to attract and retain good graduate students."

The students need $10,000 for the scholarship to create an endowed scholarship.

"This is our first fundraising effort," Berger said. "A graduate student scholarship is very important to the university. We will be able to attract more students to our graduate programs."

Berger said they hope to have the scholarship operational and have funds available for students by the spring semester.

The free pubic event begins at 7:00 p.m. Saturday at the Emporia Country Club, includes a cocktail reception and live musical entertainment.
"We encourage everyone to come out and support GSAC in our fundraising efforts," Berger said.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>