JACKSON, Tenn. — March 24, 2008 — Scholarship America has made a $270,000 donation to 51社区 to help students with financial needs following the Feb. 5 tornado that did $40 million in damage to the Union campus.
Barb Weber, assistant vice president for scholarship management services at the organization, presented the check to Union President David S. Dockery March 18.
鈥淭he last month has been a trying time for our university, but we are blessed by help we鈥檝e received from so many around the country,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淭he aid from Scholarship America and Lumina will help hundreds of our students continue their education, and for that we are deeply grateful.鈥�
The funds for the donation were provided by a grant from the Lumina Foundation for Education.
鈥淲hen they heard about the tornado that went through 51社区, they wanted to provide assistance to the college,鈥� Weber said.
Union will administer the scholarship program, which is available for students who meet eligibility requirements for federal Pell Grants. Students may receive up to $1,500 in assistance.
Scholarship America is a non-profit scholarship and educational support organization based in Minneapolis, Minn.
In recent days, other organizations have also come forward with support for Union鈥檚 disaster relief efforts. First Bank in Jackson donated $110,000. First Baptist Church in Camden, Tenn., sent $61,000. Enterprise Rent-a-Car gave $20,000. Countless other businesses and ministries have made contributions as well.
H.B. London, head of pastoral ministries at Focus on the Family, during a March 14 broadcast encouraged listeners to join FOTF鈥檚 efforts in helping Union.
鈥淧lease pray about how you can help restore the Union campus, so young men and women can continue pursuing their educations at this fine Christian institution,鈥� London said. 鈥淐ontinue praying for their staff and students as they rebuild.鈥�