Faculty & Staff Giving CampaignTo my colleagues, I am constantly amazed at the determination and strength of our students at WSU Vancouver. As a member of the campus scholarship committee, I review dozens of applications every year and see their struggles firsthand. These students are sometimes working two or more jobs, taking care of kids or elderly family members…some are survivors of abuse and are starting over; taking charge of their lives by pursuing their degree. Our students are impressive—and they need our help. Since COVID-19, I’ve had conversations with students whose financial and emotional stressors have compounded in ways they never could have imagined. For many of our students, this new reality brings more anxiety and uncertainty as they face a key moment in their future. I am proud but not surprised that WSU Vancouver stepped up immediately by creating a Student Emergency Fund. For some, this is their only safety net. The fund has already paid out more than $10,000 to students in need, with applications rolling in daily. I am excited to share that during this year’s Faculty & Staff Giving Campaign, we have the opportunity to sustain this fund with our personal donations. No advancement fee is being assessed on gifts to the student emergency fund, so 100% will go directly to the students. In the short term, our donations will keep our students in school. In the long term, the gifts we make today will produce students who have the education, experience and empathy necessary to change our world for the better. We give ourselves to students every single day. But during this unprecedented time of need, I encourage you to give just a little more. Please—join me and the many who have already given by making your donation today. Sincerely, Allison Coffin, Ph.D. |