The Rogers State University Foundation’s annual Scholarship Fundraising Breakfast on Friday has raised more than $31,000 to provide scholarships for RSU students with financial need. The amount raised will continue to grow in the coming days as more donations come in after the event.
Sophomore Lauren “Beth” Smith of Locust Grove shared her gratitude with the attendees for their scholarship support.
“Thank you for investing in RSU and thank you for caring about me and students like me,” said Smith, a community counseling major. “Know that when you invest in students, you are investing not only in that student’s life but also in the lives of those the student will interact with in the future.”
This year’s Claremore scholarship breakfast was held Friday, Nov. 16 at the RSU Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center. Proceeds from the breakfast directly support the foundation’s unrestricted scholarship program, which supports deserving students from all three RSU campuses. Last year, the RSU Foundation awarded more than $800,000 in endowments, restricted and unrestricted scholarships.
Also speaking at the event were Lou Flanagan, Chairman of the RSU Foundation Board of Directors; RSU President Dr. Larry Rice; and Tonni Harrald, Senior Director of Development for RSU.
“All proceeds from the scholarship breakfast go to deserving students who need a helping hand to pursue their dreams of earning a college degree,” Rice said. “We’ve seen first-hand how student lives can be powerfully impacted through financial assistance, which symbolizes faith others place in their ability to earn a college degree.”
Gold level sponsors for the event were Ron and Meredith Lessley.
Silver level sponsors were CF Industries and Win and Kay Ingersoll.
Table sponsors included Cherokee Nation tribal Councilor Keith Austin; BancFirst; Bank of Commerce; Don and Brenda Brown; Catoosa Family Pharmacy/Inola Drug; Mayor and Mrs. Bill Flanagan and Brent and Janees Taylor; Jack and Denda Graves; HydroHoist Marine Group; Leroy Johnson; McDonald’s on Lynn Riggs; RCB Bank; Jack and Mary Lee Spinks and Carlene Webber; Solid Rock Realtors; Trust Company Oklahoma.
Other important contributors included: ahx air-coolers, Ray and Carol Akin, Bill and Jimmie Allton, Dolores Boden, Ron and Dr. Danette Boyle, Robert and Debbie Butler, Community Home Health, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Elwell, Grand Bank, Kenny and Tonni Harrald, Higgins Law P.C., Hill Family Properties, Ms. Jami Hill-Smith, Dr. Heidi Hoskinson, Dr. Steve Housel, Blaine and Margaret Jones, Joe and Kasey Jones, Ms. Susan Kirtley, Dr. Abe Marrero, Luther and Judy Martin, Dr. Mary Millikin, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Mosier, Stephen and Terrie Neely, William Payne, Stephen and Cheena Pazzo, Vice President and Mrs. Maynard Phillips, Senator and Mrs. Marty Quinn, Pat Reeder, RSU President and Mrs. Larry Rice, Charles B. Rowan, Bob and Ginny Sherrer, Terry and Ginger Spencer, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Thornburg, Ms. Karen Tripp, Vice President and Mrs. Tom Volturo, and Lee Williams
Plans are underway to host additional scholarship fundraising events, including the RSU Foundation’s annual “Saddle Up for Scholarships” auction to be held April 26, 2019, at Will Rogers Downs Event Center.
For more information on supporting student scholarships, visit www.rsu.edu/development or call 918-343-7767 or 918-343-8357.