Students and donors bond at Scholarship Benefactors & Recipients Dinner
By Leona Baker | November 23, 2011
As the College celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Virginia Wesleyan community reaffirms its commitment to providing students with a transformative liberal arts education in a supportive environment. For many students, that education would not be possible without one of the College’s 190 endowed scholarships. On Thursday, November 10, student recipients had an opportunity to meet the people behind those scholarships at the Scholarship Benefactors & Recipients Dinner held on campus at Boyd Dining Hall.
“Because of the education that VWC has given me, I have secured a job with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, I am excited and anxious to move on to the next phase of my life, but I will certainly never forget how the VWC community has truly changed me and allowed me to grow.”—Scholarship recipient Bethany Bayles ’12
Approximately 79 scholarship recipients and 56 donors gathered along with faculty and staff both to honor the generous benefactors whose contributions are critical in helping students reach their academic potential and to recognize the dedication and hard work of the bright young recipients of these scholarships.
Scholars and their respective donors were seated together. All the guests enjoyed dinner and conversation before hearing from three key speakers, all scholarship recipients.
VWC President Billy Greer gave the opening remarks, thanking donors for “serving as role models for our students by demonstrating the power of giving to change lives” and encouraging student recipients to reflect on what the scholarships mean for their futures and how they might “pay it forward” once they have moved on in their lives and careers.
Mita Vail, Vice President for College Advancement, was the evening’s host, introducing the three student scholars who addressed the attendees. Student speakers included Brian Boettcher ’12, recipient of the Charles O. Kidd, Linda and John Vakos and Gladys H. Wright Endowed Scholarships; Luke Wade ’14, recipient of the George A. Sawyer Jr. and Gerald L. and Mildred L. Wood Memorial Scholarships; and Bethany Bayles ’12, recipient of the Kenneth J. Fawcett Endowed Scholarship.
Political science and history major Bethany Bayles told guest she likely would not have been able to attend VWC if it were not for the scholarship she received.
“I truly would have regretted missing the opportunity to make such wonderful friendships and connections,” she said. “Because of the education that VWC has given me, I have secured a job with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Springfield, Virginia that awaits me after graduating. I am excited and anxious to move on to the next phase of my life, but I will certainly never forget how the VWC community has truly changed me and allowed me to grow.”
Of the College’s $53.7 million endowment, $31.5 million is designated for endowed scholarships. These scholarships represent an essential component of the financial aid options available to students who qualify for them. Ninety-five percent of VWC students receive some form of financial aid.
Alumni, friends, parents, companies and foundations establish named endowed scholarships for many reasons—to honor loved ones, recognize what the College has meant to them, give back to the community, show appreciation to favorite professors or support programs of special interest. For information on establishing an endowed scholarship at Virginia Wesleyan, please contact Suzanne Savage, Associate Vice President for College Advancement, at ssavage@vwu.edu.