A recent scholarship event at Rogers State University Pryor helped raise more than $33,000 in scholarships for deserving Pryor area students.
The RSU Foundation hosted community leaders and university friends during the Simply Scholarships “Cookout on the Patio” event on Sept. 27 at the Pryor campus in the MidAmerica Industrial Park. Proceeds from the event directly support the foundation’s scholarship programs. Last year, the RSU Foundation awarded more than $900,000 in endowments, restricted and unrestricted scholarships.
RSU President Dr. Larry Rice spoke during the event, letting attendees know their support help make possible the educational aspirations of area students.
“Education can transform lives and help break the cycle of poverty that afflicts Oklahoma,” he said. “We’ve seen first-hand how student lives can be impacted through financial assistance, which symbolizes an investment by one generation into the next.”
Also speaking at the event were Tonni Harrald, RSU Director of Development, and Sherry Alexander, Director of the RSU Pryor campus. Alexander introduced the 2017-18 RSU Pryor scholarship recipients: Robert Backward, Jace Couch, Shaylee Freeman, Allison Grossman, Destiny Harrison, Brooklyne Jaques, Austin LaFave, Graysen Osburn, Caleb Reese, Garrett Sherman, Shelby Snodgrass, Tiffany Steddum and Brooke Thorman.
The scholarship event was made possible through the support of local companies and community leaders.
The Corporate Community Partners for the event were Chupp Implement Company, Williams Construction Company and an anonymous supporter.
Hillcat Level Sponsors were DuPont Nutrition and Health, MidAmerica Industrial Park and Orchids Paper Products Company.
Grill Master Level Sponsors were Arvest Bank-Pryor, Tom Giles and Fonda Ryan, Nash and Dana Lamb, Rhett Minson-State Farm, Jack and Mary Lee Spinks & Carlene Webber, and Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor Janees Taylor.
Other contributors include Johnny and Sherry Alexander, Chris and Linda Ball, Mike Brown, Jack and Karen Dryden, Roberta Erdwin, Janice Ferris, Dr. Dana Gray, Kenny and Tonni Harrald, Nick Harris-Edward Jones, Dr. Jane Johansson, HE&M Saw, Inc., Clint and Pat Lane, Maynard and Debra Phillips, Pryor Printing, Inc., RCB Bank-Pryor, Don and Angela Raleigh, President Larry Rice and Peggy Rice, Ben Sherrer Law Office, Helen Weaver, Bob and Cathy Webster and Merideth Yoakum.
For more information about supporting RSU’s scholarship programs, visit the RSU Foundation website at www.rsu.edu/Foundation or contact Tonni Harrald at 918-343-7767.