Inaugural party scrapped for scholarship fund
A new student scholarship will be started at Utah State University by President Kermit Hall and will be partially funded by money that might have gone to the inauguration party traditionally held for new university presidents.
“Here’s a guy who cares about the students and is putting his money where his mouth is,” said Jim MacMahon, vice president for University Advancement. “He is setting a great example for the university.”
The criteria for the scholarship have not been determined, but will be based on scholastic record and need, MacMahon said. Additional funds to support the scholarship will be solicited from various sources. MacMahon said he is confident people will follow Hall’s example. Hall is contributing $10,000 of his own money.
“I hope that’s just a start for the scholarship fund and for thinking about new ways to do the things we’ve always done,” Hall said.
Hall said he sees the new scholarship as a way of helping ease the burden of future tuition increases, including the 9 percent increase proposed this year. The Utah Board of Regents mandated at least a 5.5 percent increase, and Hall is asking students to accept his proposal of an additional 3.5 percent.
MacMahon said the scholarships will be available to the general student body and he hopes to eventually have 10 to 15 scholarships.
“We’re hoping the faculty, staff, businesses and other friends will do this to honor and welcome President Hall and show support for students,” MacMahon said.
Hall said, “The invitation goes out to our entire community of friends.”
MacMahon and John DeVilbiss, director of University Marketing and Media Relations, both said they would like to have faculty and staff contribute to the fund. DeVilbiss said $50,000 would be raised if the on-campus faculty and staff each contributed $10. MacMahon said other fund-raising events are currently being planned.
One possible event will be a dinner following Hall’s State of the University address this fall.
“I think faculty and staff would be willing to get very involved,” DeVilbiss said. “I can’t imagine the faculty and staff not willing to participate.”
DeVilbiss said the scholarship is about students, and Hall would like student input about the scholarship. A committee that will include students is being formed to meet over the summer to finalize the details of the scholarship.
“This is indicative to what kind of leader we have,” DeVilbiss said. “This helps all of us focus and realize that our priority is with our students.”