The Arkansas Tech University Division of Advancement hosted a reception at Chambers Cafeteria West Dining Room on Saturday, Oct. 19, to provide ATU Foundation scholarship donors and scholarship recipients with an opportunity to fellowship.
“For generations, alumni and friends of Arkansas Tech have assisted the next generation at our university by providing financial support for scholarships,” said Bryan Fisher, interim vice president for advancement at ATU. “As the institution has grown and evolved, so has the generosity displayed by our ATU Foundation donors.”
Fund-raising for the benefit of Arkansas Tech University had its second-best year on record from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019.
Figures from the ATU Foundation show that Arkansas Tech alumni and friends made $6.1 million in new gifts and pledges during the 2018-19 fiscal year.
The 2018-19 giving to the ATU Foundation represents a 36 percent increase over the previous year and a 76 percent increase as compared to 2016-17.
Outcomes of the giving included 585 ATU students receiving a total of $557,990 in privately-funded scholarships during 2018-19.
ATU students McKinley Heffley of Dover and Michael J. Barker of Van Buren spoke on behalf of the scholarship recipients during the Oct. 19 reception.
“It’s really a big deal what you do here,” said Heffley. “It enables us to come here and get the finest education from such a great university. As students, we all really appreciate you.”
“If you help students financially, then you are in fact a saint and deserve all the praise in the world,” said Barker. “I hope you all know that you make a difference and impact people’s lives. Thank you so much for your contributions to the young scholars of Arkansas Tech University. I could not have done this without you.”
Individuals interested in supporting the students of ATU by making a gift or pledge through the ATU Foundation may learn more at www.atualumni.com.
