CLARION – Led by the Clarion University Cheerleaders, students donated to the Clarion University SPIRIT (Students Producing Innovative Recognition for Incoming Students of Tomorrow) Scholarship.Â
The Cheerleaders assisted by the Phonathon callers, spent seven hours at Gemmell Student complex the hub of student activity on campus, asking their fellow students to donate. During the busy dining hours in the building, some of the cheerleaders went table to table talking to their peers.
 “We received 71 gifts from students and two from staff,” reported Michelle Wingard, Annual Funds Officer for the Clarion University Foundation, Inc. “All donors received a “Spirit” pin and had their names added to the thermometer graphic that is charting the growth of this scholarship.”
The SPIRIT Scholarship was started in spring 2009 to initiate a student culture of giving. Clarion University’s Greek organizations, Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council were the initial backers pledging $1,000 a year for five years to start the endowment. The Eagle Ambassadors have joined the effort and Annette Johnston, a junior early childhood education major from Brookville, became the first individual student to contribute to the SPIRIT Scholarship. An endowment must reach $25,000 or more before a scholarship can be distributed.
“Spirit Day” at the Gemmell Complex was the first effort to solicit students on an individual basis in an effort to show the difference each student could make through donations of small sums of money. The Clarion University Foundation, Inc., views the overall effort as the start to a student culture of giving.
Any student group interested in participating in the Spirit Scholarship fund drive should contact Wingard at (814) 393-1813 to pledge a gift in support of the scholarship.
The SPIRIT Scholarship is for incoming students who display a leadership commitment to philanthropy, have a 3.0 grade point average or equivalent, and provide a letter of recommendation from the organization they worked with. The Clarion University Office of Admissions will review the applications and award the scholarship.
 Donors and others may make additional contributions to the SPIRIT Scholarship or any other scholarship by contacting the Clarion University Foundation, Inc., by calling (814) 393-2572 or by emailing: giving@clarion.edu.
The Clarion University Foundation, Inc administers all scholarship funds. The Clarion University Foundation, Inc., organized in 1969, is a not for profit corporation. The Foundation was formed to promote educational purposes in connection with or at the request of Clarion University. It is the organization designated to receive and manage private sector gifts provided for the support of the activities and programs of the University. Such gifts are generated through contributions from alumni, faculty and staff, business and industry, retired faculty members, and other friends of Clarion University.
