Support grows for single-parent scholarships

Giving to the UW-Eau Claire Foundation for single-parent scholarships has increased steadily during the first half of Fulfilling the Promise of Excellence. From a total of $19,700 in support for single-parent scholarships in 2000-01, the amount of support has grown each year to $25,000 in 2001-02 and $28,000 in 2002-03. For the 2002-03 academic year, 21 single-parent students received scholarships through the Foundation. (Read about one single-parent student who has benefited from the generosity of donors to these scholarships.)

Much of the credit for increased awareness about the need for aid to single-parent students goes to a group called Women For Philanthropy. Members of the group’s steering committee collectively support several scholarships for full- and part-time single-parent students. The group also helps to secure private individual and corporate donations to support additional single-parent scholarships.

The mission of Women For Philanthropy is “giving opportunities to single parents who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to earn a degree and to better provide for their families,” said Cathy Sultan, chair of the group’s steering committee.

Scholarships for single parents have important benefits for their children, noted Vicky Petermann, UW-Eau Claire Foundation director of development research and donor relations.

“The critical element in all of this is the children,” she said. “They are also making sacrifices of time and economic status while Mom or Dad is in school. We know that the children benefit from improved opportunities a degree will offer the parent, but the children also see their parent as a role model pursuing an education, which yields a more secure living environment. It’s a win-win as we help our community one student at a time.”