Community kicks off annual ESU scholarship drive

Several community members and area businesses have already pledged their support to the community drive for Emporia State University 's Presidential Academic Awards scholarship program, which kicks off this week.

"In addition to raising funds for scholarships, one of the most important aspects of the Campus/Community Scholarship Challenge is that it gives us the ability to show students just how important they are to our community. Our students can actually see that the Emporia community and ESU's faculty and staff gave in order to make their scholarships possible," said John Blaufuss, ESU's Controller and chair of the ESU Foundation's development committee. "We had an outstanding campus drive in February, and I'm excited to see so many community members already stepping forward to support this important scholarship program."

The Presidential Academic Awards scholarship program is a vital tool for recruiting academically talented students to ESU and the Emporia community. PAAs are awarded to incoming freshmen and transfer students on the basis of their grade point averages and ACT scores.

There are many ways to support this year's community drive. Lyon County State Bank, Jock's Nitch, Dwyer's Hallmark and JavaCat 5 are offering Emporia State University bracelets for a suggested donation of $3. Several businesses are designating certain days beginning March 14 as their "ESU Day." BobbyD's Merchant Street Barbecue will kick off "ESU Week" by donating a portion of the restaurant's sales on March 14 and 15 to the PAA scholarship program. BobbyD's will be followed by Wings on March 16, Coburns Family Restaurant on March 17, and Quiznos on March 18.

ESU students are calling alumni and friends in the area to ask for their support throughout the month. PAA Pacesetters - donors who have pledged $1,000 or more this year - are actively meeting with alumni and friends in Emporia , Wichita , Kansas City and Topeka to raise funds for this important program.

The community portion of this year's drive will conclude with the Corkys on Parade Gala and Auction at the Emporia Arts Council on March 18.

For more information on this year's community drive or the Presidential Academic Awards scholarship program, contact David Decker at (620) 341-5440 or deckerda@emporia.edu.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>