One Purpose scholars talk with campaign chair June Rogers (center).
Volunteers shone brightly in the final week of the One Purpose campaign — an annual effort to raise scholarship dollars for students. In the sixth week of the campaign, volunteers reported more than $185,000 in pledges of support, making it the most successful of the six-week fund drive. In its second year, One Purpose volunteers generated more than $400,000.
John and June Rogers have served as leaders both years of the campaign, and this week they made a statement of confidence in the campaign and Stanislaus State students with a $50,000 gift to One Purpose.
“It was easy for me to say yes to support scholarships because that’s what it is all about — it’s about the students,” John Rogers said. “One Purpose provides scholarships to the students who are dedicated to their education and are going to make a difference in our region. We are proud to invest in them.”
Stanislaus State alumnus John Jacinto and his wife Edith, who are leading a team of volunteers, also bolstered the success of the campaign this week, reporting $28,000 in pledges of support for One Purpose scholarships.
Two first-time volunteers for the campaign also stood out this week. Volunteer Chris Murphy reported $13,298 in pledges and volunteer Arleen Wallen turned in pledges totaling $11,948.
“Our volunteers have a passion for doing great things — they have been dedicated to building a community that supports student success,” said Shirley Pok, vice president for university advancement at Stanislaus State. “The efforts of our volunteers have already resulted in scholarships for 169 outstanding students, and with the success of this year’s campaign that number will continue to grow.”
Volunteers had the opportunity to meet those students whose lives have been impacted by One Purpose scholarships and they have shared how they have been inspired and encouraged to keep working hard to support more high-achieving students.
“Meeting the students who have received One Purpose scholarships and hearing their stories of success has made our fundraising effort more pertinent this year,” said Adrian Harrell, a volunteer and Stanislaus State alumna. “We are motivated to reach out to the community to make an investment in students, which is an investment in our future.”
Fatimah is a student double-majoring in economics and political science at Stanislaus State and as a recipient of a One Purpose scholarship, she shared that the passion and dedication of the volunteers and donors who made her scholarship possible are particularly meaningful.
“It’s really humbling and encouraging to know that there is a community that cares and is willing to help students,” Fatimah said. “Receiving a scholarship instills a sense of accomplishment and motivation in a student — and it allows us to aspire to greater achievements. To me, One Purpose scholarships are an exceptional example of generosity. It means a lot.”
This year, 550 donors pledged their support for scholarships through the One Purpose campaign. 100 percent of every dollar raised will be awarded as scholarships to Stanislaus State students who demonstrate academic promise.
The donors and volunteers who have supported One Purpose in its second year are representative of a community that values education and invests in students at a University that fuels the region.
“One Purpose scholarships can make a huge difference for our students and the campaign touches a lot of people’s lives,” said Oddmund Myhre, dean of the College of Education, Kinesiology and Social Work, who has led a team of volunteers during both years of the campaign. “One Purpose is about our students, it’s about the University and it’s also about the community. We know that this region needs more college graduates, and One Purpose is a way to make that happen. I feel we are part of building a community as much as we are about supporting students.”
Volunteer Chris Murphy, a Stanislaus State alumnus, emphasized the importance of connecting people with the University and the opportunities it provides for students and for the future of the region. His fundraising success this week was driven by his passion to share the value of education.
“Stanislaus State is our University, whether you are in Turlock, Modesto, Patterson, Newman, wherever you are in the region, this is our University and we need a strong four-year university,” Murphy said. “Through One Purpose we can make sure that people know we are proud of Stanislaus State. I am very proud of my education and I am proud to be a part of the One Purpose team.”
David Bishel is a physics major at Stanislaus State who received a One Purpose scholarship this year. He met the volunteers working on this year’s One Purpose campaign and was impressed with their dedication to supporting students like him.
“I think One Purpose is a great example of the region embracing the University. Community leaders are taking that step to invest in the future,” Bishel said. “It’s an investment in intellectual capital. Receiving a One Purpose scholarship provided me with the encouragement and the financial means to succeed. I have been able to really dig into my studies and get the most out of my education.”
In addition to the support provided by scholarships raised through One Purpose, the volunteers have served as ambassadors of goodwill for the campus and this effort is growing affinity for the University. One Purpose volunteer and Stanislaus State alumnus Marty Grynbaum said that the positive impact of the University on the region is becoming more evident, and that One Purpose is generating awareness.
“It’s become more of a college community — when you go downtown and you see college students — the University has become an integral part of the community,” Grynbaum said. “A great part of One Purpose is that it gets alumni and community members involved with the University. They get a better understanding of what the University does for the region. The value in our local University is apparent and it’s a partnership in which everyone benefits.”
While the six-week volunteer effort has come to a close, those interested in giving to One Purpose can still make a contribution by contacting the Division of University Advancement at (209) 667-3131 or visiting www.csustan.edu/one-purpose.