Women’s Philanthropy Council at Husson University Supports Scholarships That Help Students Soar

Published on: October 17, 2019

BANGOR, MAINE –  To soar is what happens when one takes flight. Funding scholarships that make a college education more affordable is one way to help students soar academically and is part of the ongoing mission of Women’s Philanthropy Council at Husson University. 

On October 18, 2019, at the Anah Shrine at 1404 Broadway in Bangor from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., the Husson University Women’s Philanthropy Council will be holding its annual luncheon. During the event, student scholarship recipients and donors get to know each other over lunch. 

Donors enjoy meeting the students and hearing about their Husson experiences and career goals. The event also provides students with an opportunity to meet donors and express their gratitude to the people who help make education possible at the University. In addition, the luncheon gives students the opportunity to network with successful professionals from the greater Bangor region.

“There is often a lot of personal satisfaction associated with giving to others. In many instances, however, scholarship recipients and donors don’t feel connected to each other. Philanthropists often send donations to non-profit organizations without ever having the opportunity to meet the people they’re helping. This event changes all of that,” said Sarah Robinson, vice president for advancement at Husson University.

“This annual luncheon gives scholarship donors the opportunity to meet and learn about the students who are benefiting from their generosity. Both the philanthropists and the young adults in attendance have found this experience to be deeply moving.”

As you may have surmised, this year’s luncheon theme is “Soar.” Speakers at the luncheon will focus on the impact scholarships have had, and will continue to have, on Husson students.  

The speakers will include Joanne Miller, a proud member of the Women’s Philanthropy Council; Sarah Robinson; Cassidy Ouelette, a Master of Science in occupational therapy student from Frenchville, Maine; Dr. Lynne Coy-Ogan, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at Husson University; and Dr. Robert A. Clark, the sixth president of Husson University. 

Last year, nearly 100 student scholarship recipients attended the luncheon. Many of the students present at the luncheon face significant financial challenges. The scholarships they receive help them reach their full academic and career potential. Some of the scholarship recipients would be unable complete their degrees and go on to find personal and professional success without the educational resources provided by donors.  

In fact, a little over two out every five first-year Husson students receive Pell Grants. Approximately 43 percent of the university’s incoming class qualifies to receive need-based financial assistance from the U.S. government to help pay for college. This number increases over time. Forty-five percent of Husson students qualify for Pell Grants at some point during their academic career.

The financial assistance provided by donors helps Husson students complete their education. Instead of spending time working to pay for college, students can instead focus on their studies. This helps students succeed at college and in life. 

Several corporate sponsors from last year are helping to make this event possible. They are Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Pepsi, John T. Cyr & Sons, Floris Properties, Grant Realty and Freightliner of Maine. New sponsors helping to make this year’s luncheon possible include Bomarc Inc., Fellis Construction, The Big Moose Inn and Governors.

In addition to supporting the luncheon, Bar Harbor Trust Services helps to manage Husson’s charitable gift annuity program. 

The Husson University Women’s Philanthropy Council sponsors the luncheon. Council members are a group of community leaders, alumni and friends of the university, who inspire women to give of their time, talent and resources. They also work to develop women as philanthropists in an effort to benefit today’s students, as well as future generations.

For more than 120 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells, and Northern Maine, provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. According to a recent analysis by U.S. News & World Report, Husson University is the most affordable private college in New England. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.