University Communications and Marketing
November 22, 2017
MSU Billings to Participate in Giving Tuesday
Online Giving Campaign Starts on 11/28
Contacts:
University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266
MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Giving Tuesday is a national day of philanthropy that is celebrated each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year, MSU Billings in partnership with the MSU Billings Foundation is participating in Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28 to boost donations to their Annual Drive For Excellence that supports student scholarships, faculty development, and programs.
A social media campaign will begin this week on Facebook and Twitter encouraging the campus and public to donate on Giving Tuesday. To make a contribution, you may visit a specially designed MSUB Giving Tuesday website, https://giving.msubillings.edu. You may also share out the MSUB Giving Tuesday posts on social media to encourage greater participation in the fundraising.
A donation is an investment in the students, faculty, programs and facilities at MSU Billings where a quality, affordable education is provided to students from Billings, eastern Montana, and beyond.
Scholarships make a difference and positively impact students in many ways. For numerous students at MSUB, scholarships can be the difference between pursuing a lifelong dream and providing access to a life-changing education. Overall, nearly 40 percent of students at MSUB are non-traditional and over 30 percent are parents. Many work one or more jobs while attending school to provide a source of income. In fact, 34 percent of students at MSUB are low income, of which 44 percent are parents.
Here is one student who has benefitted from scholarships:
"I am extremely honored to be one of the recipients of the Abrahamson Family Endowed Scholarship. Thanks to your generosity, I am able to work toward a lifelong dream of a degree in nursing. This dream became a necessity when I unexpectedly became a single mom in 2015. I am blessed daily by my two children and proud to show them, by my studies, that hard work is worthwhile." Jasey L./Billings, Mont.
The impact of scholarships can be seen in the following student quote:
“When I found out that I was the recipient of the John F. Winifred M. Griffith endowed scholarship, I was driven to tears. This scholarship allows me to focus on my academics and athletics without feeling the pressure and obligation to work multiple jobs, while additionally balancing my homework and training. I made the MSUB honor roll last semester, and I plan to do so the rest of my time here.” Josey S./Helena, Mont.
As illustrated above, financial support can make a tremendous difference to these students in obtaining their degree and pursuing a career. Please plan to give Nov. 28 and watch for social media updates of donors on Giving Tuesday.
For more information contact Kristi Farver Oaks, MSUB Foundation Development Officer - Major Gifts, at 657-1620, Kristi.oaks@msubillings.edu.