Photo by Marjorie Cerejo

Dr. Staples unveils the Scholarship Exhibit.

UHCL scholarship exhibit and reception unites recipients and donors
by Tia Woods
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Honoring scholarship recipients and donors during the scholarship reception, President William Staples unveiled the new Scholarship Exhibit located near the front entrance of the Bayou Building.

"This Scholarship Exhibit is a rotating display that honors the generosity of donors who have invested in the futures of UHCL's students and recognizes the achievements of our award recipients," Staples said. A new display of photographs will appear every six months.

Immediately following the unveiling of the Scholarship Exhibit, a scholarship reception was hosted to recognize the fall 2001 and spring 2002 scholarship recipients and donors.

"The scholarship reception was born as a way to pair the recipient and the donor together, so the donor would have a chance to meet the individual whose life he or she was changing," said Melissa Mares, director of development. "It is a way for the recipient to have an opportunity to thank the donor."

More than 300 scholarship recipients were recognized during the reception. The university receives scholarships from generous community-oriented donors. Scholarships donated can be endowed (in perpetuity), a one-time gift or corporate-sponsored.

Dr. James C. Benson, an associate professor of Legal Studies who created the James C. Benson Scholarship Endowment 1998, spoke on behalf of the donor's perspective at the reception. Benson described his experience and financial struggle while completing his graduate degrees at Sam Houston State University.

"A faculty member at Sam Houston State University created a scholarship out of generosity to aid in the financial needs of legal studies students at the university," Benson said. "I was awarded the scholarship and went on to receive my graduate and doctoral degree. In 1998 I decided it was my turn to give back to the community, and I endowed a scholarship that will permanently assist in the financial needs of students enrolled in the legal studies program at UH-Clear Lake."

On the other side of the spectrum, a UH-Clear Lake student expressed her gratitude.

"I am grateful to be a part of the scholarship program," said scholarship recipient Candace Carignan, an undergraduate communication major. "The financial support has allowed me to continue my education."

Two offices at UH-Clear Lake work together during the scholarship process. University Advancement's role is to assist the donor in making sure the money and criteria for the scholarships are accurate.

The Student Information and Assistance Office facilitates scholarship opportunities for students by ensuring specific donor criteria are met. The Student Information and Assistance Office coordinates a scholarship selection committee that reviews all the continuing student applicants. Applicants who meet the criteria are selected, according to Stephen Sutton, associate dean of students.

The scholarship selection occurs during the spring semester. New student applicants are reviewed each semester by a committee in Enrollment Services. By mid-summer, students are notified if they have been awarded a continuing student scholarship. The Scholarships are awarded for the next academic year.

The scholarship reception is the wrap-up event based on the joint venture between University Advancement and the Student Information and Assistance Office when students and donors are recognized and congratulated.

"This reception is the culmination of what we do and why we do it - to see the donors and scholarship recipients together," Sutton said.