What inspired to set up this scholarship?

“Well it goes back to my Community College roots. I taught for years and I loved that job. I thought it was just such a privilege to do it. I loved the students and it just seemed fitting to be able to help them on into the future. And with my late husband Murphy’s help, I was able to do this scholarship.

I wanted to focus on the non-traditional student – somebody who had dropped out for a year, because these students are so often overlooked. You know, we picture the university student as the 18 to 22 year old, but there’s a whole group of older students who have had their life interrupted for some reason or other. They work hard, and when they come back they are fired up to graduate. I find that thrilling.”

You are one of our scholarship donors who meets with their recipients. What has that been like?

“They’re just so inspiring. I guess that’s one reason I want to help them and meet with them. I’m so moved by what they’re all accomplishing.

Sometimes I think to myself, “It’s only a $1,000 scholarship – it’s not like I’m giving them the world.” But several of the students have told me that the encouragement of “winning” the scholarship and getting that extra money has made them feel valued and want to continue and graduate.

And I like meeting with them. So many of them have stories of incredible hardship, yet they are still so eager and ambitious. They talk about their classes and their jobs, their wonderful professors, and what they hope to do after they get their degrees. One of the students this year told me about his plans to go for his Masters and Ph.D.! These students are universally devoted to UAA and to finishing. They want to graduate.

Our visits are really magical. When they realize I’m not only a donor, but am interested in them as a person, that combination is just powerful.”

What would you like others to to know?

“These students need us. They need our help and they need to feel valued. And everybody can help. Like I said, this scholarship is $1,000. And when I asked what one of the recipients was going to use his on this year he told me that parking is now $350 and the money will help pay for that and his textbooks, which are often very expensive. So it’s nice to hear that your gift is actually doing good.

I think most philanthropists have that feeling; to know you’re making a difference. This year, one of the students asked if he could read me part of his scholarship thank you letter. He wanted me to know how much it meant to him.

It’s just great to meet with each one of them. Being a teacher, helping students was always my favorite part of my job. This scholarship means I can keep doing that.”

How can others get involved?

“I just want people to know how easy it is to help. You don’t have to do exactly what I did, but there are so many different ways to support students. And it matters – people at my age helping younger people makes them feel good about themselves.

For me personally, as a professor emerita, I got so much out of my time with the university. So I just felt it was my time to come forward and give something back. For folks out there in similar situations wanting to make a difference, I would remind them that $500 or $1,000 a year can mean so much to a student. It can cover expenses that would mean taking on an extra job or working more hours. You’d like them to be able to focus and to study. And whether you do that with a gift today or by putting something in your will for the future – it can make such a huge difference.

And besides all that, it’s just fun to see students again and to hear their stories. When you teach it takes a while before you get to hear the stories. But with a scholarship it’s all about their plans and their stories. You get that connection first-hand. I just think it’s a great use of people’s money: a great way to invest.”

Thank you for sharing with us, Becky! 

Stay tuned – we’ll hear from more donors and their incredible stories in future newsletters.