Foundation Board aims to increase scholarship funding

HUNTINGTON, Ind. The Huntington University Foundation Board is planning new ideas to provide scholarship dollars to Huntington County and other area students to attend Huntington University.

During a recent strategy session with HU President G. Blair Dowden, the Foundation Board worked on ideas to double the amount of scholarship dollars available to local students.

Last year, the Foundation Board funded 44 scholarships for Huntington County students to attend Huntington University at an average award level of $1,000. Part of the Foundation's goals for 2013 is to increase the average scholarship award level to $2,000 for each student. The team also looked at the possibly of funding scholarships for students from other area counties.

"We are fortunate to have this great group of community leaders on the Foundation Board who recognize the importance of supporting Huntington County students to attend Huntington University," said Foundation Board President Ed Vessels. "With our community's future dependent upon attracting and retaining the next generation of leaders, scholarship opportunities like the Foundations are extremely important to help more local students contribute to our community long term."

The Foundation awards about $45,000 each year and is one of the largest supporters of local youth seeking higher education, Vessels said.

"We hope that other individual and organizations in the community will catch the vision and join us in helping us help even more local students," he added.

Since 1938, the Huntington University Foundation has assisted Huntington County residents who attend Huntington University through the annual Huntington County Grant and endowed scholarships. The Foundation also supports community arts events and hosts a monthly breakfast series at the university. For more information, visit www.huntington.edu/foundation.

The Foundation Board members pictured are (front row, left to right) Dottie Cole, Rose Wall, Cindy Willour, Holly Sale, Nicole Johnson, (back row, left to right) Rocky Strickler, Bob McKay, Joe Wiley, Adrian Halverstadt, HU Vice President for Advancement Vince Haupert, Foundation Board President Ed Vessels, Ted Bendall, HU President Dr. G. Blair Dowden, Tracey Shafer, John Mignone, John Easterday, Greg Smitley, Marshall Sanders and Brooks Fetters.