BOCA RATON, FL – The Florida Atlantic University Division of Community Engagement recently hosted a breakfast in honor of the alumni, faculty and staff, and friends of FAU who supported the President’s Scholarship Challenge. The breakfast took place at the Live Oak Pavilion on FAU’s Boca Raton campus and allowed the FAU community to publicly thank donors who have generously given to the student scholarship fund.
Guests were welcomed by Michael Kaufman, former chair of the FAU Foundation Board of Directors and member of the advisory board for the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. Kaufman joined the Foundation Board in 2006 and served as chair from 2009 to 2011. In 2010, he and other leaders of the Foundation Board worked with FAU President Mary Jane Saunders to create the President’s Scholarship Challenge, which matches new and increased gifts to the university designated for annual scholarship support.
“We are here today because we have committed ourselves to education. On behalf of the Foundation Board, I would like to thank our donors who have generously contributed to the President’s Scholarship Challenge,” said Kaufman. “To our students who received these scholarships and are working hard to earn degrees, we are very proud of you.”
Saunders kicked off the President’s Scholarship Challenge with a personal pledge of $50,000, hoping to emphasize the critical role that scholarships play in whether or not students can attend the university. Contributions through an annual gift designated to student scholarships at FAU are matched dollar for dollar through this program. More than $400,000 has been raised to date, and 61 students have been awarded the President’s Scholarship.
Student Anita Berbick offered her thanks on behalf of all scholarship recipients. She is one of the first recipients of the President’s Scholarship and will graduate in May with honors.
“I am the youngest of five children and proud to say that I am the first member of my family to receive a college degree,” said Berbick. “Without the support of donors like you, I would not be here speaking with you today. Your benevolence has given me a chance at life, and on behalf of all scholarship recipients, I thank you.”
For more information about the FAU President’s Scholarship Challenge, visit http://fauf.fau.edu or call561-297-2891.