UWF celebrates donors, fosters connections at Endowed Scholarship Luncheon
The University of West Florida’s Division of University Advancement recognized donors who are helping students achieve their dreams at the inaugural Endowed Scholarship Luncheon on Wednesday, April 10, at the UWF Conference Center. The luncheon fostered a special opportunity for donors to meet the students whose lives are being changed by their generosity.
“Events like the UWF Endowed Scholarship Luncheon unite two driving forces behind the success of our University—generous donors and grateful students,” said Howard J. Reddy, vice president for university advancement. “It is a special opportunity to introduce our donors to the students who have benefited from their investment in higher education.”
More than 90 UWF donors, scholarship recipients and University representatives attended the luncheon. Guest speakers included Kayla Mangold, a Ronald N. and Valmae Besser Theatre scholarship recipient; Abigail Megginson, a Maygarden Scholar; and Pam Schwartz, a UWF alumna and donor.
“They say you can’t buy time, but this scholarship bought me time,” Meggison said. “I didn’t have to take on an extra job during college and I was able to get involved in extracurricular activities and grow my experience thanks to my scholarships. I couldn’t have done any of this without your support.”
Megginson’s speech hit home to the one who made it possible – donor Jerry Maygarden.
“It was a delight to meet my scholarship recipient, Abigail,” Maygarden said. “I love giving to the University, but it is a special and unique experience to meet someone who is impacted by the great things going on at UWF and knowing that I support that mission.”
Currently, UWF offers eligible students more than 215 endowed scholarships. Unlike regular scholarships, the principal of an endowment is reinvested by the UWF Foundation Inc., with a portion of the principal’s earnings allotted annually in support of the University’s mission in alignment with the donor’s specified intentions. Endowment donors invest in the University’s future, helping it grow and thrive for years to come.
To learn more about giving to UWF, visit uwf.edu/give.
