Huntsman Scholars raise money to build school
Students involved in USU’s Huntsman Scholar program have teamed up with Effect International, a nonprofit organization with ties to USU, to raise $25,000 to build a school in India.
“Effect International is unique in the fact they completely localize the initiative to build a new school,” said Luci Griffiths, a senior majoring in economics and political science. “We won’t be raising funds for Americans to go build there, it will be completely done by local Indian citizens — 100 percent of the funds we raise will be going to build the school”.
Service has been part of the Huntsman Scholars organization since its inception, but a project on an international level such as this is a first for the group, said Milo Williams, a senior majoring in business administration and co-president of the Huntsman Scholars.
“We had goals at the beginning of the year to undertake a project together as a group — whether that entailed starting a business or nonprofit organization,” Williams said. “There were other proposals such as building a house, organizing a bike or jersey drive. After narrowing down a few ideas and seeing a presentation by Effect International, the group voted and decided to pursue this project.”
Griffiths said the group wanted to find a way to give back and follow the example of Jon Huntsman, the namesake for the School of Business.
Group leaders are looking to raise $25,000, which will pay for the construction of the school as well as operating costs for one year, said Griffiths, also a co-president of Huntsman Scholars.
Williams said the school will serve approximately 200 students. The groups will raise the money, while Effect International will have other programs that focus on small donors that help sustain the schools and help them grow.
The Huntsman Scholars, an organization within the USU Huntsman School of Business, which seeks to empower its members to understand and influence the business and political sectors on a global level, has more than 50 members.
To undertake the project, the members of the program divided themselves into groups to develop separate business plans to raise funds for the projects, many of which are just beginning to get underway, Williams said.
Huntsman Scholars is raising money for this ongoing project by selling wristbands to support the USU basketball team.
“Aggie basketball is a big deal, and these bands which bear the motto, ‘I Believe,’ are something we saw that could bring us together as a student body to support our team,” said Ace Beorchia, a junior majoring in international business. “They definitely have an appeal to the hardcore fan, but I also hope they can raise awareness for Effect International and their work to combat illiteracy in India.”
Huntsman Scholars was divided into groups, and each group is responsible for developing its own business plan and carrying out its specific fundraising activity.
“It has been a lot heavier time investment than I thought, initially, but every bit of it has been worth it,” Beorchia said.
Huntsman Scholars will continue this project, which has been in the works for the majority of the school year, throughout the semester.
“The push is starting and the projects are beginning to get rolling now after all of the groundwork that was laid last semester,” Williams said.
The three pillars of the Hunstman School are “leadership, scholarship and service,” Williams said. This project caught the attention of group members because it incorporates all three qualities.
“We hope each of the projects undertaken by the group are successful, because we really hope to give back and give an opportunity to those we are helping in India who will treasure education,” Beorchia said.
– timothyjbarber@gmail.com