The need for scholarships

With a growing student population (applications for fall semester 2008 have surpassed the number of freshmen admitted in fall 2007), so grows the need for student scholarships. And at Fort Valley State University, this isn't something only the folks in the Foundation, or Financial Aid, or the Recruitment offices worry about. We all share the responsibility for making sure our students aren't so worried about money that they can't concentrate on their studies.

This is a switch for me. When I was in college, I worked two or three jobs at a time and took 18 credit hours each semester so I could graduate as quickly as possible. I still came out with debt. But the point is, I remember those days. So it's easy for me to jump on board with any scholarship effort we're putting together.

Next Thursday (get out your calendars and pens), a group of my friends and I will be hostessing a home-business mall in the Pettigrew Center. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., independent representatives from Cookie Lee, Creative Memories, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, PartyLite, Tastefully Simple and Weekenders will present an array of goods you can't find in any store. And each consultant has agreed to turn over profits to the scholarship fund. These women are coming for the day in the hopes of selling what they bring with them and taking orders for more, and instead of taking a paycheck for their work, they'll be taking home a list of new contacts and friends at Fort Valley State.

Fundraising opportunities like this one abound, and they all have on purpose: to make sure FVSU doesn't have to turn away a single student because he or she can't pay for their schooling. Stay tuned for more.

Misty Cline is a public relations specialist with Fort Valley State University and an independent consultant with PartyLite candles and accessories.