$1 million endowment to benefit nontraditional students
July 9, 2010
Marmian Grimes
907-474-7902
A $1 million endowment from the Bernard Osher Foundation will allow the University
of Alaska Fairbanks to extend a scholarship program aimed at helping nontraditional
students return to college and earn bachelor’s degrees.
The gift comes on the heels of a $50,000-a-year donation from 2008-2010 to support
nontraditional students through the Reentry Scholarship Program.
“The Bernard Osher Foundation and the University of Alaska Fairbanks share the goal
of assisting nontraditional students to obtain a college degree,” said Osher Foundation
president Mary Bitterman. “The university's successful administration of earlier Osher
Reentry Scholarship grants, along with its special services in support of adult students,
has prompted this endowment gift.”
UAF journalism student Timothy Edsell said the Reentry Scholarship has been the linchpin
in his educational career. Like most recipients, he has a family and a full-time job,
in addition to being a student.
“The Osher Reentry Scholarship is the sole reason I've been able to continue my journey
to completing college,” he said. “Receiving this scholarship has lifted a large portion
of the financial burden of college off of our shoulders and enabled us to focus our
financial energies into raising our children.”
The new endowment will provide 12 students up to $5,000 per academic year. Preference
will be given to students between the ages of 25 and 50 who show academic promise
and commitment to obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
The Bernard Osher Foundation provides postsecondary scholarship funding to colleges
and universities across the nation, with special attention to reentry students. In
addition to this endowment, the Bernard Osher Foundation supports the University of
Alaska Fairbanks through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Students interested in applying for the scholarship should contact the UAF financial
aid office at 907-474-7256.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Naomi Horne, UAF development officer, at 907-474-6464 or naomi.horne@alaska.edu.
ON THE WEB: For more information on scholarships at UAF, visit www.uaf.edu/finaid/scholarships.php
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